Mounting device for building surfaces having elongated mounting slot

ABSTRACT

A mounting device or bracket for paneled building surfaces is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes an upper wall in the form of a flat surface for supporting various types of attachments. An elongated mounting slot extends through the upper wall, and the mounting bracket includes an elongated nut receptacle that is positioned below this elongated mounting slot. With an attachment being positioned on the upper wall, an attachment fastener may be directed through the attachment, then through the elongated mounting slot, and then may be threadably engaged with a nut that is positioned within and movable along the nut receptacle in its elongated dimension. The elongated configuration of the mounting slot and nut receptacle provides adjustability for the position of the attachment fastener relative to the mounting bracket, including after the mounting bracket has already been installed on the building surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/592,521, that was filed on Oct. 3, 2019 (U.S. Pat No.11,035,126, issued Jun. 15, 2021), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/129,606 that was filed on Sep. 12, 2018(U.S. Pat. No. 10,731,355, issued Aug. 4, 2020), which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/621,092, that was filed on Jun.13, 2017 (U.S. Pat. No. 10,077,562, issued Sep. 18, 2018), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/452,388, that wasfiled on Mar. 7, 2017 (abandoned), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/500,919, that was filed on Sep. 29, 2014(U.S. Pat. No. 9,611,652, issued Apr. 4, 2017), which is acontinuation-in-part of the following: 1) U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/444,405, that was filed on Jul. 28, 2014, (abandoned), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/403,463, that wasfiled on Feb. 23, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,833,714, issued Sep. 16,2014), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/446,787, that was filed on Feb. 25, 2011; and 2) U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/005,784, having a filing/371(c) date of Jun. 13,2014 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,530,916, issued Dec. 27, 2016), which is a U.S.National Stage of PCT/US2012/029160, filed Mar. 15, 2012 (expired),which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/454,011, that was filed on Mar. 18, 2011. Priority is claimed to eachpatent application set forth in this “CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS, and the entire disclosure of each patent application setforth in this “CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS” section ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to installing structures on abuilding surface and, more particularly, to mounting devices forinstalling attachments on such a building surface.

BACKGROUND

Metal panels are being increasingly used to define building surfacessuch as roofs and sidewalls. One type of metal panel is a standing seampanel, where the edges of adjacent standing seam panels of the buildingsurface are interconnected in a manner that defines a standing seam.Standing seam panels are expensive compared to other metal panels, andbuilding surfaces defined by metal panels may be more costly than othertypes of building surface constructions.

It is often desirable to install various types of structures on buildingsurfaces, such as heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment.Installing structures on standing seam panel building surfaces in amanner that punctures the building surface at one or more locations isundesirable in a number of respects. One is simply the desire to avoidpuncturing what is a relatively expensive building surface. Another isthat puncturing a metal panel building surface can present leakage andcorrosion issues.

Photovoltaic or solar cells have existed for some time, and have beeninstalled on various building roofs. A photovoltaic cell is typicallyincorporated into a perimeter frame of an appropriate material (e.g.,aluminum) to define a photovoltaic module or solar cell module. Multiplephotovoltaic modules may be installed in one or more rows (e.g., astring) on a roofing surface to define an array.

FIG. 1 illustrates one prior art approach that has been utilized tomount a solar cell module to a standing seam. A mounting assembly 10includes a mounting device 74, a bolt 14, and a clamping member 142.Generally, the mounting device 74 includes a slot 90 that receives atleast an upper portion of a standing seam 42. A seam fastener 106 isdirected through the mounting device 74 and into the slot 90 to forciblyretain the standing seam 42 therein. This then mounts the mountingdevice 74 to the standing seam 42.

A threaded shaft 22 of the bolt 14 from the mounting assembly 10 passesthrough an unthreaded hole in a base 154 of a clamping member 142, andinto a threaded hole 98 on an upper surface 78 of the mounting device74. This then mounts the clamping member 142 to the mounting device 74.The clamping member 142 is used to interconnect a pair of differentsolar cell module frames 62 with the mounting assembly 10. In thisregard, the clamping member 142 includes a pair of clamping legs 146,where each clamping leg 146 includes an engagement section 152 that isspaced from the upper surface 78 of the mounting device 74. The bolt 14may be threaded into the mounting device 74 to engage a head 18 of thebolt with the base 154 of the clamping member 142. Increasing the degreeof threaded engagement between the bolt 14 and the mounting device 74causes the engagement sections 152 of the clamping legs 146 to engagethe corresponding solar cell module frame 62 and force the same againstthe upper surface 78 of the mounting device 74.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention is embodied by a building systemthat in turn includes a building surface and a mounting device. Thebuilding surface is defined by a plurality of interconnected panels(e.g., any appropriate type of metal panel). The mounting device ismaintained in a fixed position relative to this building surface andincludes an upper wall, a mounting slot that is not threaded, and a nutreceptacle. The upper wall is disposed in spaced relation to anunderlying portion of the building surface, and where the mounting slotextends through this upper wall and is elongated in a first dimension.The nut receptacle is aligned with the mounting slot, is also elongatedin the same first dimension, and is located between the building surfaceand the mounting slot (e.g., the nut receptacle may be characterized asbeing disposed under or beneath the mounting slot). At least part of anut is disposed and retained within the nut receptacle in a manner suchthat the nut remains movable along the nut receptacle in the firstdimension. An attachment fastener extends through the mounting slot andis threadably engaged with the nut (again where this nut is at leastpartially disposed and retained within the nut receptacle). Theattachment fastener may be disposed in a number of different positionsalong the mounting slot in the noted first dimension, and furthermoremay be threadably engaged with the nut in each of these positions bymoving the nut along the nut receptacle in the first dimension and intoalignment with the attachment fastener.

A second aspect of the present invention is embodied by a buildingsystem that in turn includes a building surface and a mounting device.The building surface is defined by a plurality of interconnected panels(e.g., any appropriate type of metal panel). The mounting device ismaintained in a fixed position relative to this building surface, andincludes an upper wall and a mounting slot. The upper wall is disposedin spaced relation to an underlying portion of the building surface,where the mounting slot extends through this upper wall, is elongated ina first dimension, and is free from threads (e.g., a perimeter wall thatdefines the mounting slot does not include threads, and for instance maybe in the form of a smooth surface). An attachment fastener extendsthrough the mounting slot and is threadably engaged with a nut that islocated between the upper wall and the building surface. The attachmentfastener may be disposed in a number of different positions along themounting slot in the noted first dimension.

A number of feature refinements and additional features are separatelyapplicable to each of the above-noted first and second aspects of thepresent invention as well. These feature refinements and additionalfeatures may be used individually or in any combination in relation toeach of the first and second aspects.

The mounting device may be of any appropriate configuration. Moreover,the mounting device may be of one-piece construction, where the mountingdevice lacks a joint of any kind between adjacent portions of themounting device. In one embodiment, the entire mounting device is in theform of an extrusion, and which provides the noted one-piececonstruction. The mounting device may be formed from any appropriatematerial or combination of materials, such as an appropriate metalalloy.

The mounting device may be directly attached to the building surface.One embodiment has one or more fasteners that extend through acorresponding portion of the mounting device and into engagement withonly an exterior of the building surface (e.g., the fasteners do notpenetrate the building surface in this instance). Another embodiment hasone or more fasteners that extend through a corresponding portion of themounting device and also through an aligned portion of the buildingsurface (e.g., the fasteners penetrate the building surface in thisinstance).

The building surface may include a plurality of building surfaceprotrusions (e.g., standing seams, ribs) that are disposed in parallelrelation to one another. The mounting slot may be elongated in adimension that is parallel to these building surface protrusions. In oneembodiment the length of the mounting slot is three times or moregreater than the width of the mounting slot. The mounting device may becharacterized as having first and second ends that are spaced from oneanother. The mounting slot may be elongated in a dimension that thefirst and second ends of the mounting device are spaced from oneanother.

A nut receptacle may be positioned below the upper wall of the mountingdevice, including immediately below this upper wall. This nut receptaclemay be elongated in the same first dimension as the mounting slot. Thenut receptacle may be configured to allow a nut to be moved along thenut receptacle in the first dimension, but to limit the amount that thisnut may be moved in a direction that is away from the upper wall of themounting device (e.g., the nut receptacle may be configured to retain atleast part of the nut within the nut receptacle).

The nut receptacle may be defined at least in part by a base that isspaced from an underside of the upper wall. This base may be configuredto retain at least part of the nut within the nut receptacle in adimension that corresponds with a depth of the mounting slot. In thisregard and in one embodiment, the base includes a pair of base surfacesthat are spaced from one another and that each project in the directionof the upper wall. These base surfaces may support the underside of twoopposing portions of the nut (e.g., a nut flange; a bottom of the nut),at least prior to threadably interconnecting the attachment fastenerwith the nut. Moreover, these base surfaces may define the maximumamount that the nut is able to move in a direction that is away from theupper wall when disposed within the nut receptacle.

The nut receptacle may be defined at least in part by a pair of basesurfaces, where these two base surfaces are disposed opposite of oneanother and project or face toward each other. Each such base surfacemay be associated with a flat on a sidewall of the nut. These basesurfaces may be spaced from each other such that each of the noted flatsis unable to be rotated past their corresponding base surface.

The nut may include both a nut flange and a nut body. The nut receptaclemay include a nut flange receptacle and a nut body receptacle (includingwhere the nut flange receptacle is located between the nut bodyreceptacle and the upper wall), where a width of the nut flangereceptacle is larger than a width of the nut body receptacle. Anentirety of the nut flange may be retained in the nut flange receptacle,while the nut body may at least extend into the nut body receptacle. Theeffective outer diameter of the nut flange may be larger than a width ofthe nut body receptacle, for instance for retaining the nut flangewithin the nut receptacle. The bottom of the nut body receptacle may beopen (e.g., at least part of the nut body may extend entirely throughthe nut body receptacle), or the nut body receptacle may be closed.

The base may be defined by first and second base portions, where the nutbody receptacle extends between these first and second base portions.The first and second base portions may be disposed at leastsubstantially adjacent to, in closely spaced relation with, or incontact with a corresponding portion of a sidewall of the nut body. Sucha relative positioning limits the amount that the nut should be able torotate relative to the mounting device (e.g., when rotating theattachment fastener to threadably engage the attachment fastener withthe nut). In one embodiment only minimum relative rotational movement isallowed between the nut and the mounting device to facilitate threadingof the attachment fastener into/through the nut, such as when securingan attachment to the mounting device.

Any references herein to “above,” “below,” or the like are in relationto the mounting device or bracket being in an upright position.References herein to a “vertical” dimension is that which coincides withan upright position or orientation for the mounting device or bracket.In a roofing application, the pitch of the roof may define the baselinefor what is “upright” for purposes of a mounting device or bracket. Thatis, the noted vertical dimension may be characterized as being thedimension that is orthogonal to the pitch of the roof in this case(e.g., the upper wall of the mounting bracket may be disposed above anupper rib wall of a trapezoidal rib on which the mounting device orbracket is positioned, where “above” is measured in the noted verticaldimension (e.g., orthogonal to the pitch of the roof in this case)).

Any feature of any other various aspects of the present invention thatis intended to be limited to a “singular” context or the like will beclearly set forth herein by terms such as “only,” “single,” “limitedto,” or the like. Merely introducing a feature in accordance withcommonly accepted antecedent basis practice does not limit thecorresponding feature to the singular. Moreover, any failure to usephrases such as “at least one” also does not limit the correspondingfeature to the singular. Use of the phrase “at least generally” or thelike in relation to a particular feature encompasses the correspondingcharacteristic and insubstantial variations thereof. Finally, areference of a feature in conjunction with the phrase “in oneembodiment” does not limit the use of the feature to a singleembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art mounting assembly forinterconnecting solar cell modules with a standing seam roof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of solar cell modulesinstalled on a standing seam building surface using a plurality ofadjustable mounting assemblies.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic of a representative standing seamdefined by interconnecting a pair of panels.

FIG. 4 is a top view of one of the solar cell modules illustrated inFIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the mounting devices that isinstalled on a standing steam in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is an exploded, perspective view of one of the adjustablemounting assemblies from FIG. 2 .

FIG. 7A is a side view of one of the adjustable mounting assemblies fromFIG. 2 , and which is engaging a pair of solar cell module frames.

FIG. 7B shows the mounting assembly of FIG. 7A being used for solar cellmodule frames having a different thickness than those illustrated inFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a side view of one of the adjustable mounting assemblies fromFIG. 2 that is disposed adjacent to an edge of the building surface, andwhich is engaging a single solar cell module frame.

FIG. 8A is one side-based perspective view of another embodiment of amounting assembly for photovoltaic modules.

FIG. 8B is one top-based perspective view of the mounting assembly ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is another one top-based perspective view of the mountingassembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a bottom-based perspective view of the mounting assembly ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E is a plan view of a bottom of the mounting assembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8F is another side-based perspective view of the mounting assemblyof FIG. 8A, and schematically illustrating the engagement of a pair ofphotovoltaic modules.

FIG. 9A is a plan view of one embodiment of a photovoltaic system usinga plurality of the mounting assemblies of FIGS. 8A-F, and with theclamping members being removed to illustrate a positional registrationfunction incorporated by the mounting plate of such mounting assemblies.

FIG. 9B is a plan view of a photovoltaic system using a plurality of themounting assemblies of FIG. 6 , and with the clamping members beingremoved therefrom to illustrate how a misaligned mounting assembly canaffect the ability of the same to clamp onto one or more photovoltaicmodules.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a mounting platethat incorporates a discrete pair of PV module positional registrants.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the mounting plate of FIG. 10 disposed on amounting device, where the mounting plate includes a pair of mountingdevice positional registrants.

FIG. 11 is an end view of a representative trapezoidal rib panel.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mounting bracketfor use with trapezoidal rib panels.

FIG. 12B is cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a top view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 12Awhen installed on a trapezoidal rib of a trapezoidal rib panel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of FIGS. 12A-Dmounted on a trapezoidal rib of a trapezoidal rib panel, and with themounting assembly 70 a from FIGS. 7A-B being mounted on this mountingbracket.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the mounting bracketof FIG. 12A.

FIG. 15 is an end view of part of a representative corrugated panel.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mounting bracketfor use with corrugated panels.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a top view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16D is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16Awhen installed on a corrugated panel for a first installationconfiguration, where bracket fasteners are anchored only in the sheetingof the corrugated panel.

FIG. 16E is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16Awhen installed on a corrugated panel for a second installationconfiguration, where bracket fasteners are anchored in a deck thatsupports the corrugated panel.

FIG. 16F is a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 16Awhen installed on a corrugated panel for a third installationconfiguration, where bracket fasteners are anchored in a Z-shaped purlinthat supports the corrugated panel.

FIG. 16G is an end view of the Z-shaped purlin shown in FIG. 16F.

FIG. 16H is a perspective view of another embodiment of a purlin thatmay be used to support a corrugated panel, and that may be engaged byone or more bracket fasteners that secure the mounting bracket of FIGS.16A-F on/relative to a corrugated panel.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket of FIGS. 16A-Fpositioned on a corrugated panel, and when incorporated by the mountingassembly 70 a from FIGS. 7A-B.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the mounting bracketof FIGS. 16A-F, and when positioned on a corrugated panel.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a variation of the mounting bracket ofFIGS. 12A-C, which incorporates both an elongated mounting slot and anelongated nut receptacle.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 is an end view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 19 , along with acorresponding attachment fastener engaged with a nut that is movablydisposed within the nut receptacle.

FIG. 22 is an end view of a variation of the mounting bracket of FIGS.16A-C, which incorporates an elongated mounting slot and a correspondingelongated nut receptacle.

FIG. 23 shows a nut disposed in the nut receptacle of the mountingbracket of FIG. 22 , along with a corresponding attachment fastener.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a variation of the mounting deviceshown in FIG. 5 , and which incorporates both an elongated mounting slotand an elongated nut receptacle.

FIG. 24B is a cut-away view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 24A.

FIG. 24C is a cut-away view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 24A, alongwith a corresponding attachment fastener engaged with a nut that ismovably disposed within the nut receptacle.

FIG. 25A is a perspective view of a variation of the mounting deviceshown in FIGS. 24A-C by eliminating the elongated nut receptacle.

FIG. 25B is a cut-away view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C is a side view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 25A, along witha corresponding attachment fastener and attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly 30 in the form of a building surface 34,a photovoltaic or solar cell array 54 defined by a plurality ofphotovoltaic modules or solar cell modules 58 (only schematically shownin FIG. 2 ), and a plurality of mounting assemblies 70 a, 70 b. Thebuilding surface 34 is defined by interconnecting a plurality of panels38. Although the panels 38 may be formed from any appropriate materialor combination of materials, typically they are in the form of metalpanels 38. In any case, each adjacent pair of panels 38 isinterconnected in a manner so as to define a standing seam 42 (onlyschematically shown in FIG. 2 ). A base 46 is disposed between theopposing edges of each panel 38 (e.g., FIG. 3 ). The entirety of thebase 46 may be flat or planar. However, one or more small structures maybe formed/shaped into the base 46 of one or more panels 38 of thebuilding surface 34 to address oil canning. These structures arecommonly referred to as crests, minor ribs, intermediate ribs, pencilribs, striations, fluting, or flutes.

A cross-sectional schematic of one of the standing seams 42 isillustrated in FIG. 3 . There it can be seen that a pair ofinterconnected panels 38 define a standing seam 42. Generally, an edgeor edge section 50 of one panel 38 is “nested” with the opposing edge oredge section 50 of the adjacent panel 38 to define a standing seam 42.Typically each the two opposing edges 50 of a given panel 38 will be ofa different configuration. That way, one edge 50 (one configuration) ofone panel 38 will be able to “nest” with one edge 50 (anotherconfiguration) of the adjacent panel 38. Various configurations may beemployed for the edges 50 of the panels 38, and which may providedifferent configurations/profiles for the corresponding standing seam42.

A more detailed view of one of the photovoltaic modules or solar cellmodules 58 from FIG. 2 is presented in FIG. 4 . Each solar cell module58 includes a frame 62 that is disposed about the corresponding solarcell 66. The frame 62 may be of any appropriate size, shape,configuration, and/or type, and may be formed from any appropriatematerial or combination of materials. In the illustrated embodiment, theframe 62 is of a rectangular profile, and may be formed from anappropriate metal or metal alloy (e.g., aluminum). Similarly, thephotovoltaic cell or solar cell 66 may be of any appropriate size,shape, configuration and/or type to convert light into electricity.Typically the solar cell 66 will be in the form of a substrate having astack of a plurality of layers. Any number of solar cell modules 58 maybe used for the solar cell array 54 of FIG. 2 , and multiple solar cellmodules 58 may be disposed in any appropriate arrangement.

The mounting assemblies 70 a, 70 b that are used to install the solarcell array 54 onto the building surface 34 in FIG. 2 utilize a mountingdevice 74 that may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration,and/or type. One configuration of a mounting device that may beinstalled on a standing seam 42 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and isidentified by reference numeral 74. This mounting device 74 includes anupper surface 78 and an oppositely disposed bottom surface 86, a pair ofoppositely disposed side surfaces 82, and a pair of oppositely disposedends 94. The upper surface 78 includes a threaded hole 98, as does atleast one of the side surfaces 82, while the bottom surface 86 includesa slot 90 that extends between the two ends 94 of the mounting device74.

The slot 90 on the bottom surface 86 of the mounting device 74 includesa base 92 a and a pair of sidewalls 92 b that are spaced apart toreceive at least an end section of a standing seam 42. One or more seamfasteners 106 may be directed through a threaded hole 102 of themounting device 74 and into the slot 90 to engage the standing seam 42and secure the same against the opposing slot sidewall 92 b. A cavity ofany appropriate type may be on this opposing slot sidewall 92 b to allowthe aligned seam fastener 106 to deflect a corresponding portion of thestanding seam 42 into this cavity, although such may not be required inall instances. In any case and in one embodiment, the seam fastener 106only interfaces with an exterior surface of the standing seam 42. Forinstance, the end of the seam fastener 106 that interfaces with thestanding seam 42 may be convex, rounded, or of a blunt-nosedconfiguration to provide a desirable interface with the standing seam42.

Other mounting device configurations may be appropriate for mounting onstanding seam 42 and that may be used in place of the mounting device 74shown in FIG. 5 . Various mounting device configurations are disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,228,248, 5,483,772; 5,491,931, 5,694,721; 5,715,640;5,983,588; 6,164,033; 6,718,718; 7,100,338; and 7,013,612, and which maybe utilized by either of the mounting assemblies 70 a, 70 b.

The mounting assembly 70 a that is used in the installation of a pair ofadjacent solar cell modules 58 in FIG. 2 , and that may use a mountingdevice 74, is illustrated in FIG. 6 . The mounting assembly 70 aincludes a mounting device 74, along with a mounting plate 110, aclamping member 142, a stud 114, and a nut 128. The mounting plate 110is disposed on the upper surface 78 of the mounting device 74, andincludes a hole or aperture 112 that allows the stud 114 to passtherethrough. The mounting plate 110 may be utilized when it may bedesirable to enhance the stability of the mounting assembly 70 a, and inany case may be of any appropriate size, shape, configuration and/ortype. The surface area of the mounting plate 110 is at least about 5 in²in one embodiment, and is at least about 7 in² in another embodiment. Itmay be possible to eliminate the mounting plate 110 from the mountingassembly 70 a, for instance when the surface area of the upper surface78 of the mounting device 74 is sufficiently large.

The stud 114 provides an interface between the clamping member 142 andthe mounting device 74, and includes a first stud end 118 and anoppositely disposed second stud end 122. A nut 126 is disposed betweenthe first stud end 118 and the second stud end 122, and is fixed to thestud 114 in any appropriate manner (e.g., welded). That is, the nut 126does not move relative to the stud 114, such that the nut 126 and stud114 will move together as a single unit. In one embodiment, the nut 126is threaded onto the stud 114, and is then fixed in the desiredlocation.

A first threaded section 130 a extends from the first stud end 118toward the second stud end 122, while a second threaded section 130 bextends from the second stud end 122 toward the first stud end 118. Anunthreaded section 134 is disposed between the fixed nut 126 and thefirst threaded section 130 a in the illustrated embodiment. However, thefirst threaded section 130 a could extend all the way to the fixed nut126 (e.g., the entire stud 114 could be threaded). In one embodiment,the length of the first threaded section is at least about 1.5 inches.

The second stud end 122 may be directed through the hole 112 in themounting plate 110 if being utilized, and in any case into a threadedhole 98 of the mounting device 74. It should be appreciated that themounting device 74 could also be disposed in a horizontal orientation ona standing seam having a horizontally disposed end section versus thevertically disposed orientation of the end section of the standing seam42, and that in this case the second stud end 122 would be directed intothe threaded hole 98 on a side surface 82 of the mounting device 74(e.g., the mounting plate 110 could then be disposed on such a sidesurface 82 if desired/required). In any case, the stud 114 may betightened onto the mounting device 74 by having an appropriate toolengage the fixed nut 126 to rotate the stud 114 relative to the mountingdevice 74 and into a desired forcible engagement with the mounting plate110 or with the corresponding surface of the mounting device 74 if themounting plate 110 is not being used. In one embodiment, the fixed nut126 is located along the length of the stud 114 such that the secondstud end 122 does not extend into the slot 90 of the mounting device 74when the stud 114 is tightened onto the mounting device 74. Having thisstud end 122 extend into the slot 90 could potentially damage thestanding seam 42.

The clamping member 142 includes a base 154 that is disposed on thefixed nut 26 of the stud 114. A hole 158 extends through the base 154and is aligned with a threaded hole 98 of the mounting device 74. In theillustrated embodiment, the hole 156 in the clamping member 142 is notthreaded such that the clamping member 142 may “slide” along the stud114.

A pair of clamping legs 146 that are disposed in opposing relationextend upwardly from the base 154 in a direction that is at leastgenerally away from the mounting device 74 when the mounting assembly 70a is installed, such that the base 154 and clamping legs 146 define anat least generally U-shaped structure. Each clamping leg 146 includes anextension 150 and an engagement section 152. The engagement sections 152are disposed in a different orientation than the extensions 150, andfunction to provide a surface to engage and clamp a structure to themounting assembly 70 a. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagementsections 150 include teeth, serrations, or like to enhance the “grip” onthe structure being clamped to the mounting assembly 70 a. The clampinglegs 146 may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration forclamping a structure to the mounting assembly 70 a. Generally, a pocket160 is defined between each engagement section 152 and the underlyingmounting plate 110/mounting device 74 for receiving a structure to beclamped to the mounting assembly 70 a.

FIG. 7A illustrates one of the mounting assemblies 70 a from FIG. 2 ,and which again interfaces with a pair of solar cell modules 58.Installation of such a mounting assembly 70 a could entail directing atleast the upper portion of the standing seam 42 into the slot 90 of themounting device 74. Thereafter, the mounting device 74 may be secured tothe standing seam 42 using at least one seam fastener 106. Once again,the seam fastener 106 may be directed through the mounting device 74 andinto the slot 90 to force a corresponding portion of the standing seam42 against the opposing slot sidewall 92 b.

The mounting plate 110 may be disposed on the upper surface 78 of themounting device 74 such that its hole 112 is aligned with a threadedhole 98 on the mounting device 74 that will receive the stud 114. Thesecond stud end 122 may then be directed through the hole 112 of themounting plate 110 such that the stud 114 may be threaded to themounting device 74 (e.g., using a wrench on the fixed nut 126 to clampthe mounting plate 110 between the fixed nut 126 and the mounting device74). At this time, the lower surface of the fixed nut 126 engages theupper surface of the mounting plate 110 or a corresponding surface ofthe mounting device 74 if the mounting plate 110 is not used. Aspreviously noted, and as illustrated in FIG. 7A, in one embodiment thesecond stud end 122 does not pass into the slot 90 of the mountingdevice 74. It should be appreciated that the mounting plate 110 and stud114 could be installed on the mounting device 74 prior to itsinstallation on the standing seam 42.

A frame 62 from one of the solar cell modules 58 may be positioned onone side of the mounting plate 110, while a frame 62 from another of thesolar cell modules 58 may be positioned on the opposite side of themounting plate 110. The clamping member 142 may or may not be positionedon the stud 114 at the time the solar cell module frames 62 arepositioned on the mounting plate 110. In any case, the first stud end118 may be directed through the hole 158 on the base 154 of the clampingmember 142. At this time a portion of one solar cell module frame 62will then be positioned between the mounting plate 110 and theengagement section 152 of one of the clamping legs 146, while a portionof another solar cell module frame 62 will then be positioned betweenthe mounting plate 110 and the engagement section 152 of the otherclamping leg 146. The nut 128 may then be threaded onto the first studend 118 of the stud 114 until the engagement sections 152 of theclamping member 142 exert a desired force on the two solar cell moduleframes 62 (e.g., to clamp these frames 62 between the engagementsections 152 of the clamping member 142 and the mounting plate 110, orbetween the engagement sections 152 of the clamping member 142 and themounting device 74 if the mounting plate 110 is not being used). Thatis, turning the nut 128 may move the clamping member 142 along the stud114 and toward the mounting device 74 (e.g., by the clamping member 142“sliding” along the stud 114) to generate the desired clamping action.It should be appreciated that the clamping member 142 and possibly thenut 128 could be positioned on the stud 114 at the time when the solarcell module frames 62 are disposed on the mounting plate 110, althoughthis may require that the clamping member 142 be lifted to a degree atthis time to accommodate positioning the frames 62 under the engagementsections 152 of the clamping member 142.

As evident by a review of FIG. 7A, the stud 114 may extend beyond thenut 128 in the installed configuration. Preferably the first threadedsection 130 a of the stud 114 is of a length that allows the mountingassembly 70 a to be used to clamp structures of various thicknesses tothe mounting assembly 70 a. For instance, FIG. 7B illustrates a pair ofsolar cell module frames 62′ being clamped to the mounting assembly 70a, where these frames 62′ are thicker than the frames 62 presented inFIG. 7A. In one embodiment, the length of the first threaded section 130a is at least about 1.5 inches, and which accommodates using themounting assembly 70 a to clamp solar cell modules of a number ofdifferent thicknesses (e.g., the fixed nut 126 may be spaced from thefirst stud end 118 by a distance of at least about 1.5 inches, the firstthreaded section 130 a may extend all the way to the fixed nut 126, orboth).

The above-described mounting assemblies 70 a may be used tosimultaneously engage the frame 62 of a pair of solar cell modules 58.In at least some cases, there may only be a need to engage a singlesolar cell 58, such as in the case of those solar cells 58 that aredisposed closest to an edge 36 of the building surface 34 (FIG. 2 ).FIG. 7C illustrates a configuration for this situation, and which isidentified by reference numeral 70 b. Corresponding parts of themounting assemblies 70 a and 70 b are identified by the same referencenumeral. The only difference between the mounting assembly 70 b and themounting assembly 70 a is that an additional nut 128 is used by themounting assembly 70 b. Therefore, the remainder of the discussionpresented above also applies to the mounting assembly 70 b.

Generally, one nut 128 is threaded onto the first stud end 118, followedby positioning a clamping member 142 over the first stud end 118 andonto the stud 114, then followed by a second nut 128 that is threadedonto the first stud end 118. The lower nut 128 may be threaded down asufficient distance on the stud 114. Thereafter, the top nut 128 may bethreaded to clamp a solar cell module frame 62″ between the mountingplate 110 and the engagement section 152 of one of the clamping members142. The lower nut 128 may then be threaded upwardly on the stud 118 toengage the underside of the base 154 of the clamping member 142.

Another embodiment of a mounting assembly, which may be used formounting photovoltaic or solar cell modules to a building surface havinga plurality of standing seams defined by a plurality of interconnectedpanels, is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-F and is identified by referencenumeral 70 c. Corresponding components between the mounting assembly 70c and the above-discussed mounting assembly 70 a are identified by thesame reference numerals. Those corresponding components between thesetwo embodiments that differ in at least some respect are identified bythe same reference numeral, but with a “single prime” designation inrelation to the mounting assembly 70 c.

The mounting assembly 70 c of FIGS. 8A-F utilizes the above-discussedmounting device 74, clamping member 142, and stud 114. All of thefeatures discussed above in relation to each of these components remainequally applicable to the mounting assembly 70 c. The mounting assembly70 c does utilize a mounting plate 110′ that is positioned on an uppersurface 78 of the mounting device 74, and that is located between theclamping member 142 and the mounting device 74 in a dimensioncorresponding with the length dimension of the stud 114. However, themounting place 110′ is of a different configuration than the mountingplate 110 utilized by the mounting assembly 70 a, and therefore thenoted “single prime” designation is utilized.

The mounting plate 110′ includes an upper surface 170 and an oppositelydisposed lower surface 176. The upper surface 170 includes a pluralityof grounding projections 172. The grounding projections 172 may beintegrally formed with a remainder of the mounting plate 110′ (e.g., themounting plate 110′ and grounding projections 172 may be of one-piececonstruction, such that the individual grounding projections 172 do notneed to be separately attached to the mounting plate 110′). Anyappropriate number of grounding projections 172 may be utilized. Eachgrounding projection 172 may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/orconfiguration. The various grounding projections 172 may be equallyspaced from the stud 114, may be equally spaced about the stud 114, orboth.

In one embodiment, the number of grounding projections 172 is selectedand the grounding projections 172 are arranged such that at least onegrounding projection 172 will engage each photovoltaic module beingmounted to a building surface by the clamp assembly 70 c, regardless ofthe angular position of the mounting plate 110′ relative to the stud114. “Angular position” does not mean that the mounting plate 110′ isdisposed at an angle relative to the upper surface 78 of the mountingdevice 74. Instead, “angular position” means a position of the mountingplate 110′ that may be realized by rotating the mounting plate 110′relative to the stud 114 and/or the mounting device 74. Consider thecase where the ends 94 of the mounting device 74 define the 12 o'clockand 6 o'clock positions. The mounting plate 110′ may be positioned onthe mounting device 74 with each of its grounding projections 172 beingdisposed at any angle relative to the 12 o'clock position (e.g., in the1 o'clock position, in the 2 o'clock position, in the 8 o'clockposition, etc), and yet at least one grounding projection 172 willengage each photovoltaic module being mounted to a building surface bythe clamp assembly 70 c. The “angle” of each such grounding projection172 is the angle between first and second reference lines that aredisposed within a common plane, the first reference line remaining in afixed position relative to the mounting plate 110′ and extending fromthe stud 114, for instance, to the noted 12 o'clock position. The secondreference line may also extend from the stud 114 to a particulargrounding projection 172, and thereby may rotate along with the mountingplate 110′ as its angular position is adjusted relative to the stud 114and/or mounting device 74.

The grounding projections 172 may facilitate establishing an electricalconnection with and/or assisting in grounding one or more photovoltaicmodules. The grounding projections 172 may be characterized as providingelectrical continuity between adjacent photovoltaic modules that arepositioned on the same mounting plate 110′ (e.g., an electrical path mayencompass the frame of one photovoltaic module, one or more groundingprojections 172 engaged therewith, the mounting plate 110′, one or moreadditional grounding projections 172, and the frame of anotherphotovoltaic module engaged by such an additional groundingprojection(s) 172). This may be referred to in the art as “bonding.” Inany case, the grounding projections 172 may be used in providing agrounding function for a corresponding photovoltaic module(s). The notedelectrical connection provided by the grounding projections 172 may beused to electrically connect adjacent photovoltaic modules (e.g., thosepositioned on a common mounting plate 110′), and which may be used toprovide an electrical path to ground a string or collection ofphotovoltaic modules.

The mounting device 110′ also includes a raised structure 174 on itsupper surface 170. The raised structure 174 may be disposed about theun-threaded hole 112 in the mounting plate 110′ and through which thestud 114 passes. Generally and as will be discussed in more detailbelow, the raised structure 174 may be used to determine where aphotovoltaic module should be positioned on the upper surface 170 of themounting plate 110′ to ensure that the clamping member 142 willadequately engage not only this photovoltaic module, but an adjacentlydisposed photovoltaic module as well. As such, the raised structure 174may be characterized as a positional registrant or alignment feature foreach an adjacent pair of photovoltaic modules being clamped by a commonmounting assembly 70 c.

The raised structure 174 may be integrally formed with a remainder ofthe mounting plate 110′ (e.g., the mounting plate 110′ and raisedstructure 174 may be of one-piece construction, such that the raisedstructure 174 does not need to be separately attached to the mountingplate 110′). The raised structure 174 may be characterized as beingdoughnut-shaped. The raised structure 174 may extend completely aboutthe stud 114, the stud 114 may extend through a center of the raisedstructure 174, or both. The raised structure 174 may be circular in aplan view. This alleviates the requirement to have the mounting plate110′ be in a certain angular position on the upper surface 78 of themounting device 74 to provide its positional registration or alignmentfunction in relation to the photovoltaic modules to be clamped. An outerperimeter of the raised structure 174 and an outer perimeter of themounting plate 110′ may be concentrically disposed relative to the stud114. The raised structure 174 may be centrally disposed relative to anouter perimeter of the mounting plate 110′.

The lower surface 176 of the mounting plate 110′ includes a plurality ofwiring tabs or clips 178. The wiring clips 178 may be integrally formedwith a remainder of the mounting plate 110′ (e.g., the mounting plate110′ and wiring clips 178 may be of one-piece construction, such thatthe individual wiring clips 178 do not need to be separately attached tothe mounting plate 110′). For instance, the wiring clips 178 could be“stamped” from the body of the mounting plate 110′. In this regard, themounting plate 110′ includes an aperture 184 for each such wiring clip178. Any appropriate number of wiring clips 178 may be utilized. Thevarious wiring clips 178 may be equally spaced from the stud 114, may beequally spaced about the stud 114, or both.

In one embodiment, the number of wiring clips 178 is selected and thewiring clips 178 are arranged such that at least one wiring clip 178should be available for holding/retaining one or more wires from/foreach photovoltaic module being mounted to a building surface by theclamp assembly 70 c, regardless of the angular position of the mountingplate 110′ relative to the stud 114 and/or mounting device 74.

Each wiring clip 178 may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/orconfiguration. In the illustrated embodiment, each wiring clip 178includes a first segment 180 a that extends away from the lower surface176 of the mounting plate 110′, along with a second segment 180 b thatextends from a distal end of the first segment 180 a. The second segment180 b may be disposed at least generally parallel with the lower surface176 of the mounting plate 110′. In any case, the second segment 180 bmay include a recessed region 182 (e.g., a concave area) to facilitateretention of one or more wires and/or quick-connect leads.

A wiring clip 178 may be used the support and/or retain thequick-connect lead(s) associated with one of the photovoltaic modulesbeing clamped by the corresponding mounting assembly 70 c (e.g., bybeing positioned within the space between the second segment 180 b of agiven wiring clip 178 and the lower surface 176 of the mounting plate110′, for instance by resting in a concave portion of the second segment180 b in the form of the noted recessed region 182). Other wires couldbe directed into the space between the second segment 180 b of a givenwiring clip 178 and the lower surface 176 of the mounting plate 110′.

Another function is indirectly provided by the wiring clips 178. Theaperture 184 associated with each wiring clip 178 provides a spacethrough which an installer may direct cable or zip tie or the like tobundle together various wires that may be located at a lower elevationthan the mounting plate 110′ (e.g., wires underneath the mountingassembly 70 c; wires underneath a photovoltaic module being clamped bythe mounting assembly 70 c; wires in a space between a pair ofphotovoltaic modules being clamped by the mounting assembly 70 c).

FIG. 8F schematically illustrates the positional registration/alignmentfunction provided by the raised structure 174 of the mounting plate110′. Here the frame 62 of one photovoltaic module 58 being clamped bythe mounting assembly 70 c abuts one portion on a perimeter of theraised structure 174, while the frame 62 of another photovoltaic module58 being clamped by the mounting assembly 70 c is disposed adjacent to(or possibly abutting with) an oppositely disposed portion on theperimeter of the raised structure 174. In one embodiment, the width orouter diameter of the raised structure 174 is the same as or slightlylarger than the spacing between the two extensions 150 of the clampingmember 142. In any case, the raised structure 174 should be sized suchthat when an adjacent pair of photovoltaic modules 58 are positioned toabut oppositely disposed portions on the perimeter of the raisedstructure 174, the clamping member 142 should be positionable on thestud 114 and should properly engage these photovoltaic modules.

At least one grounding projection 172 of the mounting plate 110′ shownin FIG. 8F should be engaged with the frame 62 of one photovoltaicmodule 58 shown in FIG. 8F, and at least one other grounding projection172 of this same mounting plate 110′ should be engaged with the frame 62of the other photovoltaic module 58 shown in FIG. 8F. This againprovides electrical continuity between the two modules 58 shown in FIG.8F—an electrical path exists from one module 58 to the other module 58via the mounting plate 110′ and each grounding projection 172 that isengaged with either of the modules 58.

FIG. 9A illustrates the positional registration or alignment functionprovided by the mounting plate 110′ incorporating a raised structure 174(which thereby may be referred to as a PV module positional registrant).In FIG. 9A, the mounting devices 74 are attached to the standing seams42 such that the frame 62 of the photovoltaic module 58 engages aportion on the outer perimeter of the raised structure 174. The clampingmember 142 for each such mounting device 74 should not only be in properposition to adequately engage the frame 62 of the photovoltaic module 58shown in FIG. 9A, but the clamping member 142 for each such mountingdevice 74 should also be in proper position to adequately engage theframe 62 of another photovoltaic module 58 that would be positioned inthe uphill direction A (e.g., the arrow A indicating the direction ofincreasing elevation) from the illustrated photovoltaic module 58. Theframe 62 of this “uphill” photovoltaic module 58 would likely engage anopposing portion of the raised structure 174 (or be disposed in closelyspaced relation thereto). Any “downward drifting” of this uphillphotovoltaic module 58 should be stopped by engaging the raisedstructure 174 of the “downhill” mounting assemblies 70 c.

Now compare FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B. In FIG. 9B, the mounting assembly 70 ahas been used, and whose mounting plate 110 does not incorporate theraised structure 174 from the mounting plate 110′ of FIGS. 8A-F. Here itcan be seen that the uphill photovoltaic module 58 a (the arrow B inFIG. 9B indicating the downhill direction, or direction of decreasingelevation) has been positioned relative to the three lower mountingdevices 74 such that its frame 62 is quite close to the hole 112 of thethree lower mounting plates 110 (through which the stud 114 is directedto threadably engage the mounting device 74). The three clamping members142 associated with these three “downhill” mounting plates 110 now maynot sufficiently engage the downhill photovoltaic module 58 b.

The mounting plate 110′ from the mounting assembly 70 c of FIGS. 8A-Fuses a single raised structure 174 to provide a positional registrationor alignment function for each of the two photovoltaic modules that maybe clamped by a single mounting assembly 70 c. Other types of positionalregistration or alignment features may be incorporated by a mountingplate. One representative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B inthe form of a mounting plate 110″. Generally, the mounting plate 110″may be used in place of the mounting plate 110′ discussed above.Although not shown, it should be appreciated that the mounting plate110″ may also utilize the grounding projections 172 and/or wiring clips178 (and their associated apertures 184).

The mounting plate 110″ of FIGS. 10A and 10B differs from the mountingplate 110′ of FIGS. 8A-F in a number of respects. One is the shape ofthe mounting plate 110′. Each of these mounting plates 110′, 110″ may beof any appropriate shape in relation to their respective outerperimeters (e.g., circular as in the case of the mounting plate 110;square as in the case of the mounting plate 110″; rectangular). Anotheris that the mounting plate 110″ utilizes at least two discrete PV modulepositional registrants 190. Each of the PV module positional registrants190 may be of any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration. The PVmodule positional registrants 190 may be integrally formed with aremainder of the mounting plate 110″ as shown where they have beenstamped from the mounting plate 110″ (creating corresponding apertures192), or the PV module registrants 190 could be separately attached tothe mounting plate 110″. When the mounting plate 110″ is positioned inthe proper orientation on a mounting device 74, one of the PV modulepositional registrants 190 may be used to position one photovoltaicmodule on the mounting plate 110″ (e.g., by this first photovoltaicmodule butting up against this first PV module positional registrant190) such that it should be adequately engaged by the clamping member142, and furthermore such that the other or second photovoltaic moduleto be positioned on the mounting plate 110″ should also be adequatelyengaged by this same clamping member 142. In this regard, this secondphotovoltaic module may be positioned such that it butts up against theother or second of the PV module positional registrants 190 of themounting plate 110″.

As there are only two PV module positional registrants 190 in theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the mounting plate 110″ mayneed to be in a certain angular position or orientation on the mountingdevice 74 such that they provide a positional registration or alignmentfunction for the two photovoltaic modules to be clamped by theassociated mounting assembly. An installer could be required to placethe mounting plate 110″ onto the mounting device 74 in the correctangular position or orientation. Another option is for the mountingplate 110″ to include one or more mounting device positional registrants194 that facilitate the positioning of the mounting plate 110″ onto theupper surface 78 of the mounting device 74 such that the PV modulepositional registrants 190 should be positioned to provide a positionalregistration or alignment function for the two photovoltaic modules tobe clamped by the associated mounting assembly. In the illustratedembodiment, the mounting plate 110″ includes a pair of mounting devicepositional registrants 194—a separate mounting device positionalregistrant 194 for each of the two opposite ends 94 of the mountingdevice 74 (e.g., one mounting device positional registrant 194 mayengage one end 94 of the mounting device 74, and another mounting devicepositional registrant 194 may engage the opposite end 94 of the mountingdevice 74). A pair of mounting device positional registrants could beutilized by the mounting plate 110″ and that engage the two oppositeside surfaces 82 of the mounting device 74 to place the mounting plate110″ in the correct angular position relative to the mounting device 74.Yet another option would be to have at least one mounting devicepositional registrant for the mounting plate 110″ that engages an end 94of the mounting device 74 and at least one mounting device positionalregistrant for the mounting plate 110″ that engages one of the sidesurfaces 82 of the mounting device 74. Any appropriate way ofpositionally registering the mounting plate 110″ relative to themounting device 74 may be utilized.

Standing seam panels 38 were addressed above. Other types of panels arecommercially available. Another example of a panel configuration iscommonly referred to as a trapezoidal rib panel (e.g., formed from anappropriate metal alloy). A representative trapezoidal rib panel isillustrated in FIG. 11 and is identified by reference numeral 202. Aplurality of these panels 202 may be assembled to define a buildingsurface or a trapezoidal rib panel surface 200 (e.g., a roof or roofingsurface). A given trapezoidal rib panel 202 may include one or moretrapezoidal ribs 204 with a base section 212 positioned on each sidethereof, and furthermore may include one or more minor ribs 214. A giventrapezoidal rib panel 202 may in fact not use any minor ribs 214. In anycase, an edge portion 216 of one trapezoidal rib panel 202 may be nestedwith an edge portion 216 of an adjacent trapezoidal rib panel 202 tocollectively define a trapezoidal rib 204 as well.

Each trapezoidal rib 204 may include an upper rib wall 206 in the formof a flat or planar surface. Each trapezoidal rib 204 may also include apair of sides 208 a, 208 b. The sides 208 a, 208 b are spaced from eachother and are disposed in non-parallel relation. Typically the sides 208a, 208 b of a trapezoidal rib 204 will be the mirror image of each otherin relation to their respective orientations. In any case, the upper ribwall 206 and the two sides 208 a, 208 b collectively define a hollowinterior or open space 210 for the trapezoidal rib 204.

One embodiment of a mounting device that is adapted for use withtrapezoidal rib panels is illustrated in FIGS. 12A-D, and may be used toinstall various types of attachments on such trapezoidal rib panels. Themounting device shown in FIGS. 12A-D is in the form of a mounting deviceor bracket 220 that is of one-piece construction (e.g., no joint of anykind between any adjacent portions of the mounting bracket 220; themounting bracket 220 is not an assembly of two or more separately-formedand separately-joined portions). In one embodiment, the mounting bracket220 is in the form of extrusion to provide such a one-piececonstruction. The mounting bracket 220 may be formed from anyappropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., an aluminumalloy; other metal alloys).

The mounting bracket 220 includes an upper wall or mounting surface 224and a pair of side legs 228 a, 228 b that extend downwardly from theupper wall 224 when the mounting bracket 220 is installed on atrapezoidal rib 204. The upper wall 224 is the uppermost portion of themounting bracket 220 when positioned on a trapezoidal rib 204, extendsbetween a pair of open ends 222 of the mounting bracket 220, and is inthe form of a single flat surface (rectangular in the illustratedembodiment). In one embodiment, the upper wall 224 provides a flatsurface area, that is defined by a perimeter which in turn defines anarea of at least 2.5 inches², to provide an appropriate surface forsupporting attachments of any appropriate type (discussed below). Inthis regard, the upper wall 224 includes a mounting hole 226 thatextends completely through this upper wall 224. Although a singlemounting hole 226 is shown, multiple mounting holes could beincorporated by the upper wall 224 if required by a particularapplication or if otherwise desired.

A single mounting hole 226 is shown in the illustrated embodiment (e.g.,located equidistantly from the two ends 222, although such may not berequired in all instances). Multiple mounting holes could beincorporated by the upper wall 224 if required by a particularapplication or if otherwise desired. Each given mounting hole 226 may bethreaded or unthreaded. In the case of a threaded mounting hole 226, athreaded attachment fastener (e.g., a threaded stud or bolt) could haveits threads engaged with the threads of a particular mounting hole 226to secure at least one attachment relative to the mounting bracket 220.An attachment fastener could also extend through a particular mountinghole 226 without having any type of threaded engagement with themounting bracket 220, and a nut could be threaded onto an end of thisattachment fastener (this end being disposed within an open space 250 aof the mounting bracket 220, discussed below) to secure at least oneattachment relative to the mounting bracket 220.

Any appropriate configuration may be utilized by each mounting hole 226through the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220. Representativeconfigurations for each mounting hole 226 include circular or round. Agiven mounting hole could also be in the form of an elongated slot 226′,as shown by dashed lines in FIG. 12C. Such an elongated slot 226′ allowsthe position of an attachment fastener to be adjusted relative to themounting bracket 220, for instance after the mounting bracket 220 hasalready been anchored relative to a building surface and which may be ofsignificant benefit for at least certain installations on a buildingsurface (e.g., an attachment fastener can be moved to any position alongthe length of the mounting slot 226′, and can then be secured relativeto the mounting bracket 220 by the above-noted nut).

The bracket side legs 228 a, 228 b are spaced from one another, and willtypically be the mirror image of each other with regard to theirrespective orientations (e.g., an included angle between the undersideof the upper wall 224 and the inside surface 230 each of the side legs228, 228 b being greater than 90° as shown). The bracket side leg 228 ais positioned along an upper portion of the side 208 a of a trapezoidalrib 204 (FIG. 12D), while the opposite bracket side leg 228 b ispositioned along an upper portion of the opposite side 208 b of thissame trapezoidal rib 204 (FIG. 12D). The bracket side legs 228 a, 228 bmay be disposed in overlying relation with respect to any relevantportion of the corresponding side 208 a, 208 b of the trapezoidal rib204. It should be appreciated that the bracket side legs 228 a, 228 bwill typically be disposed in at least generally parallel relation totheir corresponding side 208 a, 208 of the trapezoidal rib 204.

At least part of the bracket side leg 228 a may engage the side 208 a ofthe trapezoidal rib 204, while at least part of the bracket side leg 228b may engage the side 208 b of the trapezoidal rib 204. In theillustrated embodiment, each of the bracket side legs 228 a, 228 bincludes an inner surface 230 that faces or projects toward thecorresponding side 208 a, 208 b of the trapezoidal rib 204. In theillustrated embodiment, there may be two discrete zones of contactbetween each bracket side leg 228 a, 228 b and its corresponding side208 a, 208 b of the trapezoidal rib 204. In this regard, each innersurface 230 includes a pair of rails, projections, or dimples 234 thatmay extend between the two open ends 222 of the mounting bracket 220. Ifthe spacing between the two open ends 222 is characterized as the lengthdimension for the mounting bracket 220, each projection 234 may beextend along at least part of the length of the mounting bracket 220.

Each projection 234 may provide a discrete zone of contact (e.g.,extending along a line or axial path) between the corresponding bracketside leg 228 a, 228 b and its corresponding side 208 a, 208 b of thetrapezoidal rib 204. Generally, the use of the projections 234 reducesthe area of contact between the mounting bracket 220 and the trapezoidalrib 204, which should reduce the potential for capillary entrapment(e.g., should reduce the potential of water “wicking” into interfacingsurfaces of the mounting bracket 220 and trapezoidal rib 204, whichcould lead to the development of corrosion and premature failure of thebuilding surface 200).

A gasket pocket or receptacle 232 is defined between the projections 234on the inner surface 230 of each of the bracket side legs 228 a, 228 b.At least one fastener hole 236 extends through each of the bracket sidelegs 228 a, 228 b and intersects the corresponding gasket pocket 232. Inthe illustrated embodiment, there are two fastener holes 236 that arealigned with the gasket pocket 232 for each of the bracket side legs 228a, 228 b. A gasket 233 of any appropriate type (e.g., an EPDM gasket) isdisposed within each of the gasket pockets 232. The projections 234 onthe inner surface 230 of the bracket side leg 228 a confine thecorresponding gasket 233 therebetween. Similarly, the projections 234 onthe inner surface 230 of the bracket side leg 228 b confine thecorresponding gasket 233 therebetween.

In one embodiment, each gasket 233 is thicker than the depth of itscorresponding gasket pocket 232 prior to the mounting bracket 220 beingsecured to the trapezoidal rib 204. As such, the gaskets 233 may becompressed between the mounting bracket 220 and the trapezoidal rib 204as the mounting bracket 220 is secured to the trapezoidal rib 204. Theabove-described projections 234 may also provide the function ofreducing the potential of these gaskets 233 being “over compressed”while securing the mounting bracket 220 to a trapezoidal rib 204.

Each gasket 233 may be installed within its corresponding gasket pocket232 prior to installing the mounting bracket 220 on a trapezoidal rib204. Any appropriate way of maintaining a gasket 233 within itscorresponding gasket pocket 232 may be utilized (e.g., by being pressfit within the corresponding gasket pocket 232; adhering a gasket 233 tothe inner surface 230 of its corresponding gasket pocket 232). When themounting bracket 220 is secured to the trapezoidal rib 204, the gasket233 may compress to bring the above-noted projections 234 into contactwith the corresponding side 208 a, 208 b of the trapezoidal rib 204.However, the projections 234 should still at least substantially confinethe corresponding gasket 233 within its corresponding gasket pocket 232,and furthermore should reduce the potential for the gaskets 233 beingover-compressed during installation as noted.

The mounting bracket 220 further includes a pair of rib offsettingmembers 246 a, 246 b that are disposed within a hollow interior 248 ofthe mounting bracket 220 (e.g., the partially enclosed spacecollectively defined by the upper wall 224 and the pair of bracket sidelegs 228 a, 228 b). Each rib offsetting member 246 a, 246 b is disposedin spaced relation to the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220.One rib offsetting member 246 a extends from the bracket side leg 228 atoward, but not to, the opposite bracket side leg 228 b. The other riboffsetting member 246 b extends from the bracket side leg 228 b toward,but not to, the opposite bracket side leg 228 a.

The underside of each rib offsetting member 246 a, 246 b is positionedon the upper rib wall 206 of the trapezoidal rib 204 to dispose theupper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220 above and in spaced relationto the upper rib wall 206 of the trapezoidal rib 204 (FIG. 12D). Thehollow interior 248 of the mounting bracket 220 may be characterized asincluding a first open space 250 a that is positioned above the riboffsetting members 246 a, 246 b (and below the upper wall 224 of thebracket 220), a second open space 250 b between the opposing free endsof the rib offsetting members 246 a, 246 b, and a third open space orrib receptacle 242 that is positioned below the rib offsetting members246 a, 246 b. That is, the two rib offsetting members 246 a, 246 b, andeach of the bracket side legs 228 a, 228 b may be characterized ascollectively defining the rib receptacle 242 (e.g., by defining theportion of the hollow interior 248 of the mounting bracket 220 in whicha trapezoidal rib 204 may be disposed). At least an upper portion of atrapezoidal rib 204 may be disposed within the rib receptacle 242 of themounting bracket 220 when the mounting bracket 220 is installed on sucha trapezoidal rib 204 (e.g., FIG. 12D).

At least one fastener extends through the bracket side leg 228 a (twobeing accommodated in the illustrated embodiment), through the gasket233 in its corresponding gasket pocket 232, and terminates within thehollow interior 210 of the trapezoidal rib 204 when securing themounting bracket 220 to a trapezoidal rib 204 (e.g., FIG. 12D). In theembodiment shown in FIG. 12D, the illustrated fastener for the bracketside leg 228 a is in the form of a rivet 244 a. At least one fasteneralso extends through the bracket side leg 228 b (two being accommodatedin the illustrated embodiment), through the gasket 233 in itscorresponding gasket pocket 232, and also terminates within the hollowinterior 210 of the trapezoidal rib 204 when securing the mountingbracket 220 to a trapezoidal rib 204 (e.g., FIG. 12D). In the embodimentshown in FIG. 12D, the illustrated fastener for the bracket side leg 228b is in the form of a sheet metal screw 244 b. Any appropriatetype/number of fasteners may be used to separately secure each bracketside leg 228 a, 228 b to the trapezoidal rib 204. As the upper wall 224of the mounting bracket 220 is used as a supporting surface, nofasteners extend through the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220and through any portion of the trapezoidal rib 204. Moreover, allfasteners that are used to secure the mounting bracket 220 to thetrapezoidal rib 204 terminate within the hollow interior 210 of thetrapezoidal rib 204 (e.g., no fastener extends through the mountingbracket 220, through the trapezoidal rib panel 202, and into anyunderlying deck or supporting structure).

Various types of attachments may be installed on a building surfacedefined by trapezoidal rib panels 202 using the above-described mountingbracket 220. One example is shown in FIG. 13 , where a pair of fasteners244 have been used to secure the bracket side leg 228 a to the side 208a of the trapezoidal rib 204 in the above-noted manner, and where thebracket side leg 228 b would be similarly secured to the side 208 b ofthe trapezoidal rib 204. Here, the mounting assembly 70 a (discussedabove, and illustrated in FIG. 7A—the associated photovoltaic modules 58not being shown in FIG. 13 for clarity) is installed on the mountingbracket 220 (i.e., the mounting bracket 220 may be used in place of themounting device 74 for trapezoidal rib panel configurations and for theabove-noted photovoltaic module applications, and in conjunction witheach of the above-discussed mounting assemblies (e.g., mounting 70a-c)). The threaded stud 114 of the mounting assembly 70 a is engagedwith the mounting hole 226 (threaded in this example) on the upper wall224 of the mounting bracket 220. The second stud end 122 is disposedwithin the hollow interior 248 of the mounting bracket 220 (e.g., thefirst open space 250 a, and so as to not contact any structure of themounting bracket 220). The mounting assemblies 70 b, 70 c discussedabove may be similarly mounted to the mounting bracket 220 and at leastgenerally in the above-discussed manner. It should be appreciated thatthe clamping member 142 may be rotated 90° from the position illustratedin FIG. 13 to accommodate installation of one or more photovoltaicmodules 58 in the above-described manner.

The mounting assemblies 70 a-c addressed above each may be characterizedas an “attachment” when secured to the mounting bracket 220 in theabove-noted manner (e.g., a mounting bracket 220 secured to atrapezoidal rib 202, and having an attachment that is secured relativeto the mounting bracket 220, may be collectively characterized as an“attachment assembly 250”, with such a representative attachmentassembly 250 being shown in FIG. 13 ). Any photovoltaic module 58 thatis engaged by any such mounting assembly 70 a-c (when installed on amounting bracket 220) may also be characterized as an attachment” thatis secured relative to the mounting bracket 220 using an attachmentfastener (e.g., threaded stud 114) that at least extends into a mountinghole 226 on the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220, andcollectively may be referred to as an “attachment assembly” as well.

A variation of the mounting bracket 220 of FIGS. 12A-D is presented inFIG. 14 . Corresponding components of these two embodiments areidentified by the same reference numerals, and the discussion presentedabove remains applicable unless otherwise noted. Those correspondingcomponents that differ in at least some respect are identified by a“single prime” designation. In the case of the mounting device orbracket 220′ of FIG. 14 , the two rib offsetting members 246 a, 246 b ofthe mounting bracket 220 of FIGS. 12A-D are replaced by a single riboffsetting member in the form of a cross member 238). This cross member238 is disposed within the hollow interior 248′ of the mounting bracket220′ (e.g., in the partially enclosed space collectively defined by theupper wall 224 and the pair of bracket legs 228 a, 228 b). This crossmember 238 extends between the inner surfaces 230 of the two bracketside legs 228 a, 228 b. The cross member 238 is seated on the upper ribwall 206 of the trapezoidal rib 204 when the mounting bracket 220 ispositioned on the trapezoidal rib 204. Although the entire underside ofthe cross member 238 could interface with the upper rib wall 206 of therib 204, a central portion thereof may “bulge” away from the upper ribwall 206 of the rib 204 to address capillary entrapment.

The cross member 238 is disposed in spaced relation to the upper wall224 of the mounting bracket 220′. An upper cavity or open space 240(part of the hollow interior 248′ of the mounting bracket 220′) existsbetween the cross member 238 and the upper wall 224, and accommodatesreceipt of an attachment fastener that may extend through a mountinghole 226 to secure an attachment in position relative to the mountingbracket 220. In one embodiment, the upper wall 224 and the cross member238 are separated by a distance of at least about ½ inch (e.g., theminimum vertical extent of the upper cavity 240 below the mounting hole226 is about ½ inch (“vertical” being the dimension that is orthogonalto the upper wall 224)).

The cross member 238 and each of the bracket side legs 228 a, 228 b alsocollectively define a rib receptacle 242′ (also part of the hollowinterior 248′ of the mounting bracket 220′). At least an upper portionof a trapezoidal rib 204 may be disposed within the rib receptacle 242′of the mounting bracket 220′ when the mounting bracket 220′ is installedon such a trapezoidal rib 204. The underside of at least part of thecross member 238 would be positioned on the upper rib wall 206 of thetrapezoidal rib 204 to dispose the upper wall 224 of the mountingbracket 220′ above and in spaced relation to the upper rib wall 206 ofthe trapezoidal rib 204. In the illustrated embodiment the portions ofthe cross member 238 that are adjacent to the bracket side legs 228 a,228 b would be seated on the upper rib wall 206 of the trapezoidal rib204, while the central portion of the cross member 238 would be spacedfrom the upper rib wall 206 of the trapezoidal rib 204, again to addresscapillary entrapment.

The mounting brackets 220, 220′ provide a number of advantages forinstalling an attachment on a trapezoidal rib panel surface. Initially,photovoltaic modules may be installed on a trapezoidal rib panel surfacewith or without rails using the mounting brackets 220/220′. The mountingbrackets 220/220′ alleviate the need for any fastener to extend to anyunderlying deck or any other substrate (e.g., purlins) for thetrapezoidal rib panel surface when securing the mounting brackets220/220′ to a trapezoidal rib on such a trapezoidal rib panel surface.This provides significant flexibility when installing PV modules on atrapezoidal rib panel surface.

Multiple mounting brackets 220/220′ may be used to support aphotovoltaic module above a trapezoidal rib panel surface without havingthese mounting brackets 220/220′ directly anchored to an underlyingsubstrate or support deck for the trapezoidal rib panel surface. A totalof at least four of the mounting brackets 220/220′ may be used tosupport a given photovoltaic module (two brackets 220/220′ spaced alonga first trapezoidal rib, and two brackets 220/220′ spaced along a secondtrapezoidal rib that is appropriately spaced from the first trapezoidalrib). Where a photovoltaic module is characterized as having four edgeportions (e.g., of a square or rectangular configuration), at least twomounting brackets 220/220′ may support one edge portion of a givenphotovoltaic module, and at least two mounting brackets 220/220′ maysupport an oppositely disposed edge portion of the same photovoltaicmodule. This allows the sheeting of the trapezoidal rib panel surface toitself support the photovoltaic modules (versus having to “anchor”supporting structures for the photovoltaic modules to the underlyingdeck or substrate for the trapezoidal rib panel surface).

Standing seam panels 38 were addressed above. Other types of panels arecommercially available. Another example of a panel configuration iscommonly referred to as a corrugated panel (e.g., formed from anappropriate metal or metal alloy). A representative corrugated panel isillustrated in FIG. 15 and is identified by reference numeral 302. Aplurality of corrugated panels 302 may be assembled to define a buildingsurface or a corrugated panel surface 300 (e.g., a roof or roofingsurface).

A corrugated panel 302 is defined by a plurality of panel crowns 304 anda plurality of panel valleys 308. In the illustrated embodiment, a panelvalley 308 is disposed between each adjacent pair of panel crowns 304.The corrugated panel 302 may be of a sinusoidal or “sine wave”configuration in an end view (FIG. 15 ). In any case, typically acorrugated panel 302 will be installed in a roofing application suchthat the length dimension of its panel crowns 304 and panel valleys 308each extend along the roof pitch (e.g., the elevation of each panelcrown 304 and each panel valley 308 may continually change proceedingalong its length dimension). A “panel crown” 304 of a corrugated panel302 may also be referred to as a “rib” or “the high.” A “panel valley”308 of a corrugated panel 302 may also be referred to as a “trough” or“the low.”

One embodiment of a mounting device that is adapted for use withcorrugated panels is illustrated in FIGS. 16A-C, and may be used toinstall various types of attachments on such corrugated panels. Themounting device shown in FIGS. 16A-C is in the form of a mounting deviceor bracket 310 that may be of one-piece construction (e.g., no joint ofany kind between any adjacent portions of the mounting bracket 310; themounting bracket 310 is not an assembly of two or more separately-formedand separately-joined portions). In one embodiment, the mounting bracket210 is in the form of extrusion to provide such a one-piececonstruction. The mounting bracket 310 may be formed from anyappropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., an aluminumalloy; other metal alloys).

The mounting bracket 310 includes what may be characterized as a valleysection 314 that is positioned above a panel valley 308 when themounting bracket 310 is positioned on a corrugated panel 302 (e.g.,FIGS. 16D-F, discussed below). In the illustrated embodiment, theentirety of the valley section 314 is defined by an upper wall ormounting surface 316. The upper wall 316 is the uppermost portion of themounting bracket 310 when disposed in an upright position (e.g., FIG.16B), extends between a pair of ends 312 of the mounting bracket 310,and is in the form of an at least substantially flat surface (e.g.,having a rectangular perimeter in the illustrated embodiment). In oneembodiment, the perimeter of the upper wall 316 defines an area of atleast 2.5 inches² to provide an appropriate surface for supportingattachments of any appropriate type (discussed below). In this regard,the upper wall 316 includes a mounting hole 318 that extends completelythrough this upper wall 316. One or more mounting holes 318 may be usedto secure at least one attachment relative to the mounting bracket 310(e.g., using one or more attachment fasteners of any appropriate type).

A single mounting hole 318 is shown in the illustrated embodiment (e.g.,located equidistantly from the two ends 312, although such may not berequired in all instances). Multiple mounting holes could beincorporated by the upper wall 316 if required by a particularapplication or if otherwise desired. Each given mounting hole 318 may bethreaded or unthreaded. In the case of a threaded mounting hole 318, athreaded attachment fastener (e.g., a threaded stud or bolt) could haveits threads engaged with the threads of a particular mounting hole 318to secure at least one attachment relative to the mounting bracket 310.An attachment fastener could also extend through a particular mountinghole 318 without having any type of threaded engagement with themounting bracket 310, and a nut could be threaded onto an end of thisattachment fastener (this end being disposed within an open space 342 ofthe mounting bracket 310, discussed below) to secure at least oneattachment relative to the mounting bracket 310.

Any appropriate configuration may be utilized by each mounting hole 318through the upper wall 316 of the mounting bracket 310. Representativeconfigurations for each mounting hole 318 include circular or round. Agiven mounting hole could also be in the form of an elongated slot 318′,as shown in FIG. 16C. Such an elongated slot 318′ allows the position ofan attachment fastener to be adjusted relative to the mounting bracket310, for instance after the mounting bracket 310 has already beenanchored relative to a building surface and which may be of significantbenefit for at least certain installations on a building surface (e.g.,an attachment fastener can be moved to any position along the length ofthe mounting slot 318′, and can then be secured relative to the mountingbracket 310 by the above-noted nut).

The above-noted bracket ends 312 may be characterized as being spacedalong a length dimension of the mounting bracket 310 (e.g., the spacingbetween the bracket ends 312 may define the length of the mountingbracket 310). When the mounting bracket 310 is positioned on acorrugated panel 302 (e.g., FIGS. 16D-F, discussed below), the lengthdimension of the mounting bracket 310 will be aligned or coincide with(e.g., parallel to) the length dimension of the corresponding panelvalley 308 (e.g., one bracket end 312 will be at one location along thelength dimension of the corresponding panel valley 308, while theopposite bracket end 312 will be at a different location along thelength dimension of this same panel valley 308).

The mounting bracket 310 further includes a pair of bracket legs 320 a,320 b. The bracket leg 320 a extends from one side of the valley section314 (the upper wall 316 in the illustrated embodiment), while the otherbracket leg 320 b extends from the opposite side of the valley section314 (the upper wall 316 in the illustrated embodiment). Each bracket leg320 a, 320 b may be characterized as extending both downwardly and awayfrom its corresponding side of the valley section 314 when the mountingbracket 320 is in an upright position (e.g., FIG. 16B). Anothercharacterization is that the bracket leg 320 a extends from the valleysection 314 at least generally in the direction of one panel crown 304of a corrugated panel 302 on which the mounting bracket 310 ispositioned (e.g., FIGS. 16D-F, discussed below), while the bracket leg320 b extends from the valley section 314 at least generally in thedirection of another panel crown 304 of a corrugated panel 302 on whichthe mounting bracket 310 is positioned (e.g., FIGS. 16D-F, discussedbelow).

The upper wall 316 and the two bracket legs 320 a, 320 b may becharacterized as collectively defining a hollow interior 340 for themounting bracket 310. An included angle 322 is defined between theunderside of the upper wall 316 and each of the bracket legs 320 a, 320b. In the illustrated embodiment, the included angle 322 associated witheach of the bracket legs 320 a, 320 b is greater than 90°. The bracketlegs 320 a, 320 b may be the mirror image of each other with regard totheir respective orientations (e.g., the included angle 322 associatedwith the bracket leg 320 a may be of the same magnitude as the includedangle 322 associated with the other bracket leg 320 b).

The mounting bracket 310 further includes a third bracket leg 334 a thatextends from the first bracket leg 320 a within the hollow interior 340of the mounting bracket 310, along with a fourth bracket leg 334 b thatextends from the second bracket leg 320 b within the hollow interior 340of the mounting bracket 310. The bracket legs 334 a, 334 b may convergeto define a panel valley engagement section 332. Stated another way, theintersection of the third bracket leg 334 a and the fourth bracket leg334 b may define a panel valley engagement section 332 for the mountingbracket 310. This defines an included angle 336 between the thirdbracket leg 334 a and the fourth bracket leg 334 b. In the illustratedembodiment, the magnitude of this included angle 336 is less than 90°.

The panel valley engagement section 332 includes what may becharacterized as a panel valley interface surface 338—the surface of thepanel valley engagement section 332 that interfaces with a panel valley308 of a corrugated panel 302 when the mounting bracket 310 ispositioned on such a corrugated panel 302. In the illustratedembodiment, the panel valley interface surface 338 is convex or of a“rounded” configuration.

The upper wall 316 of the mounting bracket 310 may be characterized asbeing disposed in overlying relation to the panel valley engagementsection 332. The upper wall 316 may also be characterized as beingseparated from the panel valley engagement section 332 by an open space342 (the open space 342 being within or part of the hollow interior 340of the mounting bracket 310). In one embodiment, the vertical extent ofthis open space 342 (i.e., “vertical” being when the mounting bracket310 is disposed in an upright position, and also coinciding with thedimension that is orthogonal/perpendicular to the pitch of a roofingdefined by a corrugated panel 302 on which the mounting bracket 310 ispositioned) is at least about 1 inch. That is, the underside of theupper wall 316 may be separated from the panel valley engagement section332 by a distance of at least about 1 inch in at least one embodiment.

The mounting hole 318 in the upper wall 316 may be characterized asbeing aligned in the vertical dimension with the panel valley engagementsection 332 when the mounting bracket 310 is disposed in an uprightposition. The open space 342 also therefore exists between the mountinghole 318 and the panel valley engagement section 332 (e.g., the mountinghole 318 may be aligned with the open space 342 in the verticaldimension; the open space 342 may be characterized as being below themounting hole 318). As such, an attachment fastener may be directedwithin the mounting hole 318, may extend through the upper wall 316, andmay terminate within the open space 342. That is, such an attachmentfastener could extend beyond the underside of the upper wall 316 adistance of at least about 1″ in the noted embodiment before contactinganother portion of the mounting bracket 310 (e.g., the side of the panelvalley engagement section 332 that is opposite of the panel valleyinterface surface 338).

The mounting bracket 310 also includes a pair of panel crown engagementsections 324. Initially, each panel crown engagement section 324 isoffset or spaced in the vertical dimension from the panel valleyengagement section 332. Stated another way and when the mounting bracket314 is disposed in an upright position, the panel valley engagementsection 332 is disposed at a different elevation than each panel crownengagement section 324 (each panel crown engagement section 324 beingdisposed at a higher elevation than the panel valley engagement section332). Moreover, the panel valley engagement section 332 is offset fromeach panel crown engagement section 324 in a lateral dimension that isorthogonal to the above-noted vertical dimension (e.g., the lateraldimension coinciding with the horizontal dimension in the view of FIG.16B).

The first bracket leg 320 a extends between one of the panel crownengagement sections 324 and the valley section 314. Similarly, thesecond bracket leg 320 b extends between the other panel crownengagement section 324 and the valley section 314. As will be discussedin more detail below, one panel crown engagement section 324 of themounting bracket 310 may be positioned on one panel crown 304 of acorrugated panel 302 (located on one side of a panel valley 308 engagedby the panel valley engagement section 332), while the other panel crownengagement section 324 may be positioned on a different panel crown 304of a corrugated panel 302 (located on the opposite side of a panelvalley 308 engaged by the panel valley engagement section 332). In theillustrated embodiment, each panel crown engagement section 324 engagesthe adjacent-most panel crown 304 to the panel valley 308 contacted bythe panel valley engagement section 332 of the mounting bracket 310,although such may not be required in all instances.

Each panel crown engagement section 324 may engage a panel crown 304 ofa corrugated panel 302 on which the mounting bracket 310 is positioned.In the illustrated embodiment, there may be two discrete zones ofcontact between each panel crown engagement section 324 and itscorresponding panel crown 304. In this regard, each panel crownengagement section 324 may include a pair of rails, projections, ordimples 328 that may extend between the two ends 312 of the mountingbracket 310. If the spacing between the two ends 312 is characterized asthe length dimension for the mounting bracket 310, each projection 328may be characterized as extending along at least part of the length ofthe mounting bracket 310. Each projection 328 may be convex or roundedwhere engaged with a corresponding panel crown 304.

Each projection 328 may provide a discrete zone of contact (e.g.,extending along a line or axial path) between the corresponding panelcrown engagement section 324 and its corresponding panel crown 304 of acorrugated panel 302. Generally, the use of the projections 328 reducesthe area of contact between the mounting bracket 310 and a panel crown304 of a corrugated panel 302, which should reduce the potential forcapillary entrapment (e.g., should reduce the potential of water“wicking” into interfacing surfaces of the mounting bracket 310 and acorrugated panel 302, which could lead to the development of corrosionand premature failure of a building surface 300 incorporating such acorrugated panel 302).

A gasket pocket or receptacle 326 is defined between the projections 328on each of the panel crown engagement sections 324. At least one bracketfastener hole 330 extends through each of the panel crown engagementsections 324 and intersects the corresponding gasket pocket 326. In theillustrated embodiment, there are two bracket fastener holes 330 thatare aligned with the gasket pocket 326 for each of the panel crownengagement sections 324. Any appropriate number of bracket fastenerholes 330 may be utilized by each panel crown engagement section 324. Inone embodiment, each bracket fastener hole 330 is un-threaded. Anappropriate bracket fastener (e.g., threaded screw, rivet) may bedirected through each bracket fastener hole 330 and through the alignedportion of a corrugated panel 302 to secure the mounting bracket 310relative to the corrugated panel 302. Various options in this regardwill be discussed in more detail below in relation to FIGS. 16D-F.

A gasket of any appropriate type (e.g., an EPDM gasket—not shown) may bedisposed within each of the gasket pockets 326. The projections 328 oneach panel crown engagement section 324 should confine the correspondinggasket therebetween. In one embodiment, each gasket that is positionedwithin a gasket pocket 326 is thicker than the depth of itscorresponding gasket pocket 326 prior to the mounting bracket 310 beingsecured relative to a corrugated panel 302. As such, the gaskets may becompressed between the mounting bracket 310 and the corresponding panelcrown 304 as the mounting bracket 310 is secured relative to acorrugated panel 302. The above-described projections 328 may alsoprovide the function of reducing the potential of these gaskets being“over-compressed” while securing the mounting bracket 310 relative to acorrugated panel 302.

Each gasket may be installed within its corresponding gasket pocket 326prior to installing the mounting bracket 310 on a corrugated panel 302.Any appropriate way of maintaining a gasket within its correspondinggasket pocket 326 may be utilized (e.g., by being press fit within thecorresponding gasket pocket 326; adhering a gasket 326 to an innersurface of its corresponding gasket pocket 326). When the mountingbracket 310 is secured relative to a corrugated panel 302, each gasketmay compress to bring the above-noted projections 328 into contact withthe corresponding panel crown 304 of the corrugated panel 302. However,the projections 328 should still at least substantially confine thecorresponding gasket within its corresponding gasket pocket 326, andfurthermore should reduce the potential for the gaskets beingover-compressed during installation as noted.

FIG. 16D illustrates how the above-described mounting bracket 310 may bepositioned or “seated” on a corrugated panel 302. Generally: 1) thepanel valley engagement section 332 of the mounting bracket 310 isengaged with one panel valley 308 of the corrugated panel 302; 2) onepanel crown engagement section 324 of the mounting bracket 310 ispositioned on one panel crown 304 on one side of this same panel valley308 (the adjacent-most panel crown 304 in the illustrated embodiment,although such may not be required in all instances); and 3) the otherpanel crown engagement section 324 of the mounting bracket 310 ispositioned on one panel crown 304 on the opposite side of this samepanel valley 308 (the adjacent-most panel crown 304 in the illustratedembodiment, although such may not be required in all instances).

FIG. 16D also illustrates one manner of securing the mounting bracket310 relative to a corrugated panel 302. A separate bracket fastener 344a (e.g., a threaded screw) may be directed through each bracket fastenerhole 330 of each panel crown engagement section 324, through acorresponding portion of the panel crown 304 of the corrugated panel302, and may terminate within a hollow interior 306 located “under” thispanel crown 304. In this case, the mounting bracket 310 is secured onlyto the sheeting that defines the corrugated panel 302.

FIG. 16E illustrates another option for securing a mounting bracket 310relative to a corrugated panel 302. Here, the corrugated panel 302 ispositioned on a deck 346 or other substrate—the underside of each panelvalley 308 of the corrugated panel 302 may contact the deck 346. Thisdeck 346 may be formed from any appropriate material or combination ofmaterials (e.g., wood, for instance plywood). In this case, a separatebracket fastener 344 b (e.g., threaded screw) may be directed througheach bracket fastener hole 330 of each panel crown engagement section324, through a corresponding portion of the panel crown 304 of thecorrugated panel 302, through the corresponding hollow interior 306, andmay be anchored to the deck 346 (e.g., each such bracket fastener 344 bat least extends within the deck 346, and may in fact extend completelythrough the deck 346). Here, the mounting bracket 310 may becharacterized as being secured to both the sheeting of the corrugatedpanel 302, as well as to the underlying deck 346.

The installation configuration shown in FIG. 16E provides a number ofadvantages over the installation configuration shown in FIG. 16D. One isthe additional securement of the mounting bracket 310 relative to thecorrugated panel 302 provided by anchoring the mounting bracket 310 tothe underlying deck 346 (versus just to the sheeting of the corrugatedpanel 302, as in the FIG. 16D configuration). Another is that the panelvalley engagement section 332 should reduce the potential that the twopanel crowns 304 (engaged by the panel crown engagement sections 324 ofthe mounting bracket 310) will collapse as the bracket fasteners 344 bare anchored to the deck 346 in the above-described manner. That is, thepanel valley engagement section 332 should reduce the potential of“over-tightening” the bracket fasteners 344 b to the extent that couldaffect the structural integrity of the corresponding panel crown 304(e.g., by at least partially collapsing such a panel crown 304).

FIG. 16F illustrates yet another option for securing a mounting bracket310 relative to a corrugated panel 302. Here, the corrugated panel 302is positioned on a plurality of purlins 348 (only one shown in FIG.16F). The length dimension of these purlins 348 are disposed orthogonalor perpendicular to the length dimension of the panel crowns 304 andpanel valleys 308 of the corrugated panel 302. Each such purlin 348 maybe formed from any appropriate material or combination of materials(e.g., a metal or metal alloy), and is commonly referred to in the artas being “Z-shaped.”

An end view of the purlin 348 from FIG. 16F is presented in FIG. 16G.Generally, the purlin 348 includes a pair of flanges 350 a, 350 b thatare spaced from one another, but that are connected by an intermediateweb 352. The flange 350 a of the purlin 348 may engage the underside ofthe corrugated panel 302. That is, the various panel valleys 308 of thecorrugated panel 302 may be positioned on the flange 350 a of the purlin348. As such, a separate bracket fastener 344 b may be directed througheach bracket fastener hole 330 of each panel crown engagement section324 of the mounting bracket 310, through a corresponding portion of thepanel crown 304 of the corrugated panel 302, through the correspondinghollow interior 306, and may be anchored to the upper flange 350 a ofthe purlin 248 (e.g., each such bracket fastener 344 b at least extendswithin the upper flange 350 a, and may in fact extend completely throughthe upper flange 350 a). Here, the mounting bracket 310 may becharacterized as being secured to both the sheeting of the corrugatedpanel 302, as well as to one or more underlying purlins 348. Theinstallation configuration shown in FIG. 16F provides the sameadvantages discussed above in relation to the installation configurationof FIG. 16E.

The mounting bracket 310 may be anchored to purlins of any appropriateconfiguration. Another representative configuration is presented in FIG.16H in the form of a purlin 354. This purlin 354 may be formed from anyappropriate material or combination of materials (e.g., wood), and maybe of any appropriate dimensions (e.g., a 2″×4″ timber). The purlin 354includes a panel interface surface 356 that is positioned for contactwith the underside of a corrugated panel 302. As such, each bracketfastener 344 b would be directed through this panel interface surface356 and could terminate within the interior of the purlin 354. However,each bracket fastener 344 b could be directed completely through thepurlin 354 as well.

Various types of attachments may be installed on a building surface 300defined by one or more corrugated panels 302 using the above-describedmounting bracket 310. One example is shown in FIG. 17 . One or morebracket fasteners (e.g., fasteners 344 a, 344 b) may be used to securethe mounting bracket 310 relative to a corrugated panel 302 (e.g., inaccordance with FIGS. 16D-G). Here, a portion of the mounting assembly70 a (discussed above, and illustrated in FIG. 7A—the associatedphotovoltaic modules 58 not being shown in FIG. 17 for clarity) isinstalled on the mounting bracket 310 (i.e., the mounting bracket 310may be used in place of the above-described mounting device 74 forcorrugated panel configurations and for the above-noted photovoltaicmodule applications, as well as in conjunction with each of theabove-discussed mounting assemblies (e.g., mounting 70 a-c)). Thethreaded stud 114 of the mounting assembly 70 a is engaged with themounting hole 218 (threaded in this example) on the upper wall 316 ofthe mounting bracket 310. The second stud end 122 is disposed within theopen space 342 of the mounting bracket 310 (e.g., so as to not contactany structure of the mounting bracket 310). The mounting assemblies 70b, 70 c discussed above may be similarly mounted to the mounting bracket210 and at least generally in the above-discussed manner. It should beappreciated that the clamping member 142 may be rotated 90° from theposition illustrated in FIG. 17 to accommodate installation of one ormore photovoltaic modules 58 in the above-described manner.

The clamping member 142 and mounting plate 110/110′ of the mountingassemblies 70 a-c addressed above each may be characterized as an“attachment” when secured to the mounting bracket 310 in the above-notedmanner (e.g., a mounting bracket 310 secured to a corrugated panel 302,and having an attachment that is secured relative to the mountingbracket 310, may be collectively characterized as an “attachmentassembly 390,” with such a representative attachment assembly 390 beingshown in FIG. 17 ). Any photovoltaic module 58 that is engaged by anysuch mounting assembly 70 a-c (when incorporating a mounting bracket310) may also be characterized as an “attachment” that is securedrelative to the mounting bracket 310 using at least one attachmentfastener (e.g., threaded stud 114) that is directed into a mounting hole318 on the upper wall 316 of the mounting bracket 310, and collectivelymay be referred to as an “attachment assembly” as well.

A variation of the mounting device or bracket 310 of FIGS. 16A-F ispresented in FIG. 18 . Corresponding components of these two embodimentsare identified by the same reference numerals, and the discussionpresented above remains applicable unless otherwise noted. Thosecorresponding components that differ in at least some respect areidentified by a “single prime” designation. In the case of the mountingbracket 310′ of FIG. 18 , basically two of the above-described mountingbrackets 310 have been combined into a single unit and which in turnprovides two valley sections 314 a, 314 b, each having an upper wall316. The bracket leg 320 b extending from the valley section 314 a andthe bracket leg 320 a extending from the valley section 314 b share acommon panel crown engagement section 324. The mounting bracket 310′ maybe used in the various installation configurations discussed above inrelation to FIGS. 16D-H.

The FIG. 18 configuration could also be modified to use only a singlepanel crown engagement section 324 (the panel crown engagement sectionlocated between the two panel valley engagement sections 332). In thiscase: 1) for the bracket leg 320 a that extends from the valley section214 a, the portion after its intersection with the third bracket leg 334a could be eliminated (and its corresponding panel crown engagementsection 324); and 2) for the bracket leg 320 b that extends from thevalley section 314 b, the portion after its intersection with the fourthbracket leg 334 b could be eliminated (and its corresponding panel crownengagement section 324).

Another variation of the mounting device of FIGS. 12A-C is illustratedin FIGS. 19-21 and is identified by reference numeral 220″.Corresponding components between the embodiments of FIGS. 12A-C andFIGS. 19-21 are identified by the same reference numerals. Thosecorresponding components that differ in at least some respect may befurther identified by a double prime designation. Unless otherwise notedherein to the contrary, the discussion of the details of the mountingbracket 220, including the various features thereof, remains equallyapplicable to the mounting device 220″ of FIGS. 19-21 .

The mounting device or bracket 220″ of FIGS. 19-21 includes an elongatedmounting slot 226′ of the type that was addressed above in relation tothe embodiment of FIGS. 12A-C (e.g., having an un-threaded sidewall orperimeter wall that defines the mounting slot 226′). The side legs 228a″, 228 b″ of the mounting bracket 220″ are of a different configurationfrom that set forth in the embodiments of FIGS. 12A-C, and thereby arefurther identified by a double prime designation. Generally, the sidelegs 228 a″, 228 b″ each include an upper section and a correspondinglower section that are disposed in different orientations. The side legs228 a″, 228 b″ each initially extend downwardly from the upper wall 224in at least generally parallel relation to one another (the noted uppersection), and then the side legs 228 a″, 228 b″ diverge from one another(the noted lower section) proceeding to their respective free lowerends. The lower section of each of the side legs 228 a″, 228 b″ are alsomore angled than shown in relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 12 A-C. Assuch, both the rib receptacle 242″ and the hollow interior 248″ of themounting bracket 220″ differ in at least some respects from theembodiment of FIGS. 12A-C, and thereby are further identified by adouble prime designation.

A fundamental difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 12A-C andFIGS. 19-21 is the addition of a nut receptacle 260 for the mountingbracket 220″. The nut receptacle 260 is defined by a base 262 that isdisposed in spaced relation to an underside of the upper wall 224 of themounting bracket 220″, and further includes an open space or nut flangereceptacle 266. The open space 266 for the nut receptacle 260 extendsfrom the base 262 to the underside of the upper wall 224 in theillustrated embodiment, and thereby may be characterized as beingdisposed between the associated building surface and the upper wall 224.

The base 262 for the nut receptacle 260 is defined by a first baseportion 262 a and a second base portion 262 b. The first base portion262 a extends from the side leg 228 a″ in the direction of the side leg228 b″ (but not to the side leg 228 b″). The second base portion 262 bextends from the side leg 228 b″ in the direction of the side leg 228 a″(but not to the side leg 228 a″). The base portions 262 a, 262 b may bethe mirror image of one another, and may be disposed in coplanarrelation or directly across from one another. A nut body receptacle orbase slot 264 extends between the base portions 262 a, 262 b, or statedanother way the spacing between the base portions 262 a, 262 b defines awidth for the base slot 264.

The mounting slot 226′ is of an elongated configuration. A lengthdimension for the mounting bracket 220″ may be defined as coincidingwith the dimension in which the two ends 222 of the mounting bracket220″ are spaced from one another, while a width dimension for themounting bracket 220″ may be defined as coinciding with the dimension inwhich the side legs 228 a″, 228 b″ are spaced from one another. Themounting slot 226′ may be characterized as being elongated in the notedlength dimension (the mounting slot 226′ having a length L—FIG. 19 ). Assuch, the mounting slot 226′ has a length dimension that is larger,including significantly larger, than its corresponding width dimension(the mounting slot 226′ having a length L (FIG. 19 ) and a width W (FIG.20 ), where the magnitude of the length L exceeds the magnitude of thewidth W). In one embodiment, the length L of the mounting slot 226′ isthree times or more than the magnitude of the width W of the mountingslot 226′. The height or depth of the mounting slot 226′ correspondswith the thickness of the upper wall 224 (where this height or depthdimension is orthogonal to a plane that contains the above-noted lengthand width dimensions for the mounting bracket 220″). The height or depthdimension may also be referred to as a vertical dimension.

Each of the base slot 264 and the open space 266 of the nut receptacle260 extend between the ends 222 of the mounting bracket 220″ in theillustrated embodiment. As such, each of the base slot 264 and the openspace 266 may be characterized as being elongated in the lengthdimension of the mounting bracket 220″. The mounting slot 226′, the baseslot 264, and the open space 266 may be characterized as being elongatedin a common dimension—the length dimension of the mounting bracket 220″in the illustrated embodiment.

The elongated mounting slot 226′ allows for adjustment of the locationof an attachment fastener 280 (FIG. 21 ) relative to the mountingbracket 220″, which may be of significant benefit for at least certaininstallations on a building surface. Even after the mounting bracket220″ is anchored relative to the building surface in the mannerdiscussed above in the relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 12A-C, theattachment fastener 280 can be moved to any position along the length Lof the mounting slot 226′. The length L of the mounting slot 226′accommodates a significant number of different positions of theattachment fastener 280 relative to the mounting bracket 220″—theattachment fastener 280 may assume a number of different positionsbetween the two ends 222 of the mounting bracket 220″ and that isaccommodated by the elongated mounting slot 226′.

A nut 270 is positioned within the nut receptacle 260 of the mountingbracket 220″ to maintain the attachment fastener 280 in a fixed positionrelative to the mounting bracket 220″—more specifically to secure anattachment to/relative to the mounting bracket 220″. The nut 270includes a nut flange 274 (e.g., of a circular configuration) that ispositioned within the open space 266 of the nut receptacle 260, alongwith a nut body 272 (e.g., of a hexagonal configuration) that extendsentirely through the base slot 264 of the nut receptacle 260 (i.e., thenut body receptacle 264 is open-ended in the illustrated embodiment). Inthe illustrated embodiment, the first base portion 262 a and the secondbase portion 262 b of the nut receptacle 260 are each disposed inclosely spaced relation to a sidewall of the nut body 272. The firstbase portion 262 a and the second base portion 262 b may be disposed atleast substantially adjacent to opposing portions on the sidewall of thenut body 272, and could in fact contact either of the base portions 262a, 262 b so long as the nut 270 can be moved along the nut receptacle260. The ends of the base portions 262 a, 262 b (disposed adjacent to orin contact with a corresponding sidewall of the nut body 272; thatadjoin the nut body receptacle 264; that face or project toward oneanother) may be rounded or convexly shaped in the vertical dimension.

The effective outer diameter of the nut flange 274 is larger than thewidth of the base slot 264. As such, the nut 270 may be introduced intothe nut receptacle 260 from either of the ends 222. Moreover, opposingportions of the nut flange 274 may be at least initially positioned onthe base portions 262 a, 262 b (surfaces thereof that project in thedirection of the upper wall 224) so as to keep the nut 270 from passingor falling into the hollow interior 248″ of the mounting bracket 220″.The base portions 262 a, 262 b may also be characterized as defining amaximum amount that the nut 270 is able to move away from the upper wall224 when the nut 270 is disposed in the nut receptacle 260. Generally,the configuration of the nut receptacle 260 retains at last part of thenut 270 (e.g., the nut flange 274) within the nut receptacle 260 (atleast in the vertical dimension).

Further restraint is provided by the configuration of the nut receptacle260 in relation to a nut 270 disposed therein. Generally, the nutreceptacle 260 is configured to restrain or limit rotation of the nut270 relative to the mounting bracket 220″, where this rotation is abouta center axis of the nut 270 (coinciding with the direction that theattachment fastener 280 is directed into/through the nut 270). Thisrotational restraint is provided by the above-noted positioning of thebase portions 262 a, 262 b relative to the sidewall of the nut body 272.One base portion 262 a could be positioned adjacent to or in contactwith one flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272, and the other baseportion 262 b could be positioned adjacent to or in contact with anoppositely disposed flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272. Although asmall degree of relative rotational movement may be allowed between thenut 270 and the mounting bracket 220″ when initially engaged by theattachment fastener 280, a flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272should not be able to rotate past its corresponding base portion 262 a,262 b based upon the noted positioning of the base portions 262 a, 262b. Further in this regard, preferably the depth of the open space 266and/or the height of the nut body 272 is selected such that when the nutflange 272 is pulled up against the underside of the upper wall 224, atleast part of the nut body 272 is still disposed between the baseportions 262 a, 262 b (to provide the noted rotational restraint).

In order to secure an attachment relative to the mounting bracket 220″,at least part of the attachment may be positioned on the upper wall 224of the mounting bracket 220″. A threaded shaft 284 of the attachmentfastener 280 may be directed through the attachment, and then into themounting slot 226′. The nut 270 may be moved along the length dimensionof the mounting bracket 220″ (within the nut receptacle 260) so as to bealigned with the attachment fastener 280. This repositioning of the nut270 may be undertaken in any appropriate manner and at any appropriatetime. For instance, the desired location of the attachment fastener 280along the length L of the mounting slot 226′ could be determined priorto positioning the attachment on the mounting bracket 220″, and aninstaller could then direct the attachment fastener 280 into/through themounting slot 226′ to engage and then move the nut 270 along the nutreceptacle 260 (in the length dimension of the mounting bracket 220″)into the desired position. In any case and once the attachment fastener280 and the nut 270 are properly aligned, and with the attachment beingpositioned on the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220″, the shaft284 of the attachment fastener 280 may be threaded into/through the nut270 (after having first passed through a portion of the attachment andthen through the mounting slot 226′), preferably until a head 282 of theattachment fastener 280 compresses the corresponding portion of theattachment against the upper wall 224 of the mounting bracket 220″. Thenut flange 274 should engage the underside of the upper wall 224 at thistime as well, which provides an increased area of contact with the upperwall 224 compared to if the nut flange 274 were not used (e.g., ifinstead an end of the nut body 272 engaged the underside of the upperwall 224).

Another variation of the mounting device of FIGS. 16A-C is illustratedin FIGS. 22-23 and is identified by reference numeral 310″.Corresponding components between the embodiments of FIGS. 16A-C andFIGS. 22-23 are identified by the same reference numerals. Thosecorresponding components that differ in at least some respect may befurther identified by a double prime designation. Unless otherwise notedherein to the contrary, the discussion of the details of the mountingbracket 310, including the various features thereof, remains equallyapplicable to the mounting device 310″ of FIGS. 22-23 .

The mounting device or bracket 310″ of FIGS. 22-23 includes an elongatedmounting slot 318′ of the type that was addressed above in relation tothe embodiment of FIGS. 16A-C (e.g., having an un-threaded sidewall orperimeter that defines the mounting slot 318′). A fundamental differencebetween the embodiments of FIGS. 16A-C and FIGS. 22-23 is the additionof a nut receptacle 360 for the mounting bracket 310″. The nutreceptacle 360 is defined by a base 362 that is disposed in spacedrelation to an underside of the upper wall 316, and further includes anopen space or nut flange receptacle 366. The open space 366 for the nutreceptacle 360 extends from the base 362 to the underside of the upperwall 316 in the illustrated embodiment, and thereby may be characterizedas being disposed between the associated building surface and the upperwall 316.

The base 362 for the nut receptacle 360 is defined by a first baseportion 362 a and a second base portion 362 b. The first base portion362 a extends from the first leg 320 a in the direction of the secondleg 320 b (but not to the second leg 320 b). The second base portion 362b extends from the second leg 320 b in the direction of the first leg320 a (but not to the first leg 320 a). The base portions 362 a, 362 bmay be the mirror image of one another, and may be disposed in coplanarrelation or directly across from one another. A nut body receptacle orbase slot 364 extends between the base portions 362 a, 362 b, or statedanother way the spacing between the base portions 362 a, 362 b defines awidth for the base slot 364.

The mounting slot 318′ is of an elongated configuration. A lengthdimension for the mounting bracket 310″ may be defined as coincidingwith the dimension in which the two ends 312 of the mounting bracket310″ are spaced from one another, while a width dimension for themounting bracket 310″ may be defined as coinciding with the dimension inwhich the legs 320 a, 320 b are spaced from one another. The mountingslot 318′ may be characterized as being elongated in the noted lengthdimension. As such, the mounting slot 318′ has a length dimension thatis larger, including significantly larger, than its corresponding widthdimension. In one embodiment, the length of the mounting slot 318′ isthree times or more than the magnitude of the width of the mounting slot318′. The height or depth of the mounting slot 318′ corresponds with thethickness of the upper wall 316 (where this height or depth dimension isorthogonal to a plane that contains the above-noted length and widthdimensions for the mounting bracket 310″). The height or depth dimensionmay also be referred to as a vertical dimension.

Each of the base slot 364 and the open space 366 of the nut receptacle360 extend between the ends 312 of the mounting bracket 310″ in theillustrated embodiment. As such, each of the base slot 364 and the openspace 366 may be characterized as being elongated in the lengthdimension of the mounting bracket 320″. The mounting slot 318′, the baseslot 364, and the open space 366 may be characterized as being elongatedin a common dimension—the length dimension of the mounting bracket 310″in the illustrated embodiment.

The elongated mounting slot 318′ allows for adjustment of the locationof an attachment fastener 380 (FIG. 23 ) relative to the mountingbracket 310″, which may be of significant benefit for at least certaininstallations on a building surface. Even after the mounting bracket310″ is anchored relative to the building surface in the mannerdiscussed above in the relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 16A-C, theattachment fastener 380 can be moved to any position along the length ofthe mounting slot 318′. The length of the mounting slot 318′accommodates a significant number of different positions of theattachment fastener 380 relative to the mounting bracket 310″—theattachment fastener 380 may assume a number of different positionsbetween the two ends 312 of the mounting bracket 310″ and that isaccommodated by the elongated mounting slot 318′.

A nut 370 is positioned within the nut receptacle 360 of the mountingbracket 310″ to maintain the attachment fastener 380 in a fixed positionrelative to the mounting bracket 310″—more specifically to secure anattachment to/relative to the mounting bracket 310″. The nut 370includes a nut flange 374 (e.g., of a circular configuration) that ispositioned within the open space 366 of the nut receptacle 360, alongwith a nut body 372 (e.g., of a hexagonal configuration) that extendsentirely through the base slot 364 of the nut receptacle 360. In theillustrated embodiment, the first base portion 362 a and the second baseportion 362 b of the nut receptacle 360 are each disposed in closelyspaced relation to a sidewall of the nut body 372. The first baseportion 362 a and the second base portion 362 b may be disposed at leastsubstantially adjacent to opposing portions on the sidewall of the nutbody 372, and could in fact contact either of the base portions 362 a,362 b so long as the nut 370 can be moved along the nut receptacle 360.The ends of the base portions 362 a, 362 b may be rounded or convexlyshaped in the vertical dimension.

The effective outer diameter of the nut flange 374 is larger than thewidth of the base slot 364. As such, the nut 370 may be introduced intothe nut receptacle 360 from either of the ends 312. Moreover, opposingportions of the nut flange 374 may be at least initially positioned onthe base portions 362 a, 362 b (surfaces thereof that project in thedirection of the upper wall 316) so as to keep the nut 370 from passingor falling into the open space 342″ of the mounting bracket 310″. Inthis regard, the configuration of the nut receptacle 360 retains at lastpart of the nut 370 (e.g., the nut flange 374) within the nut receptacle360 (at least in the vertical dimension).

Further restraint is provided by the configuration of the nut receptacle360 in relation to a nut 370 disposed therein. Generally, the nutreceptacle 360 is configured to restrain or limit rotation of the nut370 relative to the mounting bracket 310″, where this rotation is abouta center axis of the nut 370 (coinciding with the direction that theattachment fastener 380 is directed into/through the nut 370). Thisrotational restraint is provided by the above-noted positioning of thebase portions 362 a, 362 b relative to the sidewall of the nut body 372.One base portion 362 a could be positioned adjacent to or in contactwith one flat on the sidewall of the nut body 372, and the other baseportion 362 b could be positioned adjacent to or in contact with anoppositely disposed flat on the sidewall of the nut body 372. Although asmall degree of relative rotational movement may be allowed between thenut 370 and the mounting bracket 310″, a flat on the sidewall of the nutbody 372 should not be able to rotate past its corresponding baseportion 362 a, 362 b based upon the noted positioning of the baseportions 362 a, 362 b. Further in this regard, preferably the depth ofthe open space 366 and/or the height of the nut body 372 is selectedsuch that when the nut flange 372 is pulled up against the underside ofthe upper wall 316, at least part of the nut body 372 is still disposedbetween the base portions 362 a, 362 b (to provide the noted rotationalrestraint).

In order to secure an attachment relative to the mounting bracket 310″,at least part of the attachment may be positioned on the upper wall 316of the mounting bracket 310″. A threaded shaft 384 of the attachmentfastener 380 may be directed through the attachment, and then into themounting slot 318′. The nut 370 may be moved along the length dimensionof the mounting bracket 310″ (within the nut receptacle 360) so as to bealigned with the attachment fastener 380. This repositioning of the nut370 may be undertaken in any appropriate manner and at any appropriatetime. For instance, the desired location of the attachment fastener 380along the length of the mounting slot 318′ could be determined prior topositioning the attachment on the mounting bracket 310″, and aninstaller could then direct the attachment fastener 380 into/through themounting slot 318′ to engage and then move the nut 370 along the nutreceptacle 360 (in the length dimension of the mounting bracket 310″)into the desired position. In any case and once the attachment fastener380 and the nut 370 are properly aligned, and with the attachment beingpositioned on the upper wall 324 of the mounting bracket 320″, the shaft384 of the attachment fastener 380 may be threaded into/through the nut370 (after having first passed through a portion of the attachment andthen through the mounting slot 318′), preferably until a head 382 of theattachment fastener 380 compresses the corresponding portion of theattachment against the upper wall 316 of the mounting bracket 310″. Thenut flange 374 should engage the underside of the upper wall 316 at thistime as well, which provides an increased area of contact with the upperwall 316 compared to if the nut flange 374 were not used (e.g., ifinstead an end of the nut body 372 engaged the underside of the upperwall 316).

A variation of the mounting device 74 from FIG. 5 is presented in FIGS.24A-C and is identified by reference numeral 74′. Correspondingcomponents are identified by the same reference numerals. Thosecorresponding components that differ in at least some respect may befurther identified by a single prime designation in the embodiment ofFIGS. 24A-C.

The mounting device 74′ of FIGS. 24A-C includes an upper surface 78′ andan oppositely disposed bottom surface 86′, a pair of oppositely disposedside surfaces 82′, and a pair of oppositely disposed ends 94′. The uppersurface 78′ includes an elongated mounting slot 98′, while the bottomsurface 86′ includes a slot 90′ that extends between the two ends 94′ ofthe mounting device 74′. The slot 90′ on the bottom surface 86′ of themounting device 74′ includes a slot base 92 a′ and a pair of slotsidewalls 92 b′ that are spaced apart to receive at least an end sectionof a standing seam 42. One or more seam fasteners 106 (FIG. 5 ) may bedirected through a threaded hole 102 of the mounting device 74′ and intothe slot 90′ to engage the standing seam 42. In the illustratedembodiment, each threaded hole 102 on one of the slot sidewalls 92 b′ isdisposed in opposing relation to a threaded hole 102 on the other slotsidewall 92 b′. The mounting device 74′ could be configured such thatonly one of the slot sidewalls 92 b′ has one or more threaded holes 102.Moreover, the mounting device 74′ could be configured such that eachthreaded hole 102 on one slot sidewall 92 b′ is not aligned with athreaded hole 102 on the other slot sidewall 92 b′. In any case, eachseam fastener 106 that is used to secure the mounting device 74′ to astanding seam 42 only interfaces with an exterior surface of thestanding seam 42. In this regard, an end of the seam fastener 106 thatinterfaces with the standing seam 42 may be convex, rounded, or of ablunt-nosed configuration to provide a desirable interface with thestanding seam 42.

A fundamental difference between the mounting device 74 shown in FIG. 5and the mounting device 74′ shown in FIGS. 24A-C is the addition of anut receptacle 260′ and using an un-threaded, elongated mounting slot98′ instead of a threaded hole 98. Generally, the nut receptacle 260′ islocated between the upper surface 78′ of the mounting device 74′ and thebase 92′ of the slot 90′, and furthermore extends between the two ends94′ of the mounting device 74′. This additionally may be viewed asdefining an upper wall 76′ for the mounting device 74′. In this regard,the mounting slot 98′ may be characterized as extending entirely throughthis upper wall 76′ and to the nut receptacle 260′.

The mounting slot 98′ is of an elongated configuration. A lengthdimension for the mounting device 74′ may be defined as coinciding withthe dimension in which the two ends 94′ of the mounting device 74′ arespaced from one another, while a width dimension for the mounting device74′ may be defined as coinciding with the dimension in which the twoslot sidewalls 92 b are spaced from one another. The mounting slot 98′may be characterized as being elongated in the noted length dimension.As such, the mounting slot 98′ has a length dimension that is larger,including significantly larger, than its corresponding width dimension.In one embodiment, the length of the mounting slot 98′ is three times ormore than the magnitude of the width of the mounting slot 98′. Theheight or depth of the mounting slot 98′ corresponds with the thicknessof the upper wall 76′ (where this height or depth dimension isorthogonal to a plane that contains the above-noted length and widthdimensions for the mounting device 74′). The height or depth dimensionmay also be referred to as a vertical dimension.

The nut receptacle 260′ is defined by a base 262′ that is disposed inspaced relation to an underside of an upper wall 76′ of the mountingdevice 74′. The base 262′ in the case of the mounting device 74′ may becharacterized as being defined by a first base surface 263 a, a secondbase surface 263 b, a third base surface 263 c, a fourth base surface263 d, and a fifth base surface 263 e. The spacing between underside ofthe upper wall 76′ and the base surfaces 263 a, 263 e defines a nut bodypocket or receptacle 266′. The spacing between the base surfaces 263 b,263 d, along with the base surface 263 c that extends between these basesurfaces 263 b, 263 d, defines a nut body receptacle or pocket 264′. Thebase surface 263 a and base surface 263 b may be characterized ascollectively defining a first base portion, the base surface 263 e andbase surface 263 d may be characterized as collectively defining asecond base portion, and the nut body receptacle or pocket 264′ maytherefore be characterized as being defined in part by the first andsecond base portions (the bottom of the nut body receptacle or pocket264′ is closed by the third base surface 263 c (versus being “open” asin the embodiments of FIGS. 19-21 and 22-23 )).

Each of the nut body receptacle 264′ and the nut flange receptacle 266′of the nut receptacle 260′ extend between the ends 94′ of the mountingdevice 74′ in the illustrated embodiment. As such, each of the nut bodyreceptacle 264′ and the nut flange receptacle 266′ may be characterizedas being elongated in the length dimension of the mounting device 74′.The mounting slot 98′, the nut body receptacle 264′, and the nut flangereceptacle 266′ may be characterized as being elongated in a commondimension—the length dimension of the mounting 74′ in the illustratedembodiment.

The elongated mounting slot 98′ allows for adjustment of the location ofan attachment fastener 280 relative to the mounting device 74′, whichmay be of significant benefit for at least certain installations on abuilding surface. Even after the mounting device 74′ is anchoredrelative to the building surface in the above-noted manner, theattachment fastener 280 can be moved to any position along the length Lof the mounting slot 98′. The length of the mounting slot 98′accommodates a significant number of different positions of theattachment fastener 280 relative to the mounting device 74′—theattachment fastener 280 may assume a number of different positionsbetween the two ends 94′ of the mounting device 74′ and that isaccommodated by the elongated mounting slot 98′.

A nut 270 is positioned within the nut receptacle 260′ of the mountingdevice 74′ to maintain the attachment fastener 280 in a fixed positionrelative to the mounting device 74′—more specifically to secure anattachment to/relative to the mounting device 74′. The nut 270 includesa nut flange 274 (e.g., of a circular configuration) that is positionedwithin the nut flange receptacle 266′ of the nut receptacle 260′, alongwith a nut body 272 (e.g., of a hexagonal configuration) that is atleast partially disposed in the nut body receptacle 264′ of the nutreceptacle 260′. In the illustrated embodiment, the second surface 263 band the fourth base surface 263 d of the nut receptacle 260′ are eachdisposed in closely spaced relation to a corresponding portion of thesidewall of the nut body 272. The second base surface 263 b and thefourth base surface 263 d may be disposed at least substantiallyadjacent to opposing portions on the sidewall of the nut body 272, andcould in fact contact the nut 270 so long as the nut 270 can be movedalong the nut receptacle 260′.

The effective outer diameter of the nut flange 274 is larger than thewidth of the nut body receptacle 264′. As such, the nut 270 may beintroduced into the nut receptacle 260 from either of the ends 94′ ofthe mounting device 74′. Moreover, opposing portions of the nut flange274 may be at least initially positioned on the base surfaces 263 a, 263d. However, the nut 270 may be disposed on the base surface 263 c, whichmay dispose the nut flange 274 in spaced relation to the base surfaces263 a, 263 e as shown. In any case, the nut body receptacle 264′ isclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. 24A-C.

Further restraint is provided by the configuration of the nut receptacle260′ in relation to a nut 270 disposed therein. Generally, the nutreceptacle 260′ is configured to restrain or limit rotation of the nut270 relative to the mounting device 74′, where this rotation is about acenter axis of the nut 270 (coinciding with the direction that theattachment fastener 280 is directed into/through the nut 270). Thisrotational restraint is provided by the above-noted positioning of thebase surfaces 263 b, 263 d relative to the sidewall of the nut body 272.The base surface 263 b could be positioned adjacent to or in contactwith one flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272, and the base surface263 d could be positioned adjacent to or in contact with an oppositelydisposed flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272. Although a smalldegree of relative rotational movement may be allowed between the nut270 and the mounting device 74′ when initially engaged by the attachmentfastener 280, a flat on the sidewall of the nut body 272 should not beable to rotate past its corresponding base surface 263 b, 263 d basedupon the noted positioning of the base surfaces 263 b, 263 d. Further inthis regard, preferably the depth of the nut flange receptacle 266′and/or the height of the nut body 272 is selected such that when the nutflange 272 is pulled up against the underside of the upper wall 76′, atleast part of the nut body 272 is still disposed between the basesurfaces 263 b, 263 d (to provide the noted rotational restraint).

In order to secure an attachment relative to the mounting device 74′, atleast part of the attachment may be positioned on the upper surface 78′of the mounting device 74′. A threaded shaft 284 of the attachmentfastener 280 may be directed through the attachment, and then into themounting slot 98′. The nut 270 may be moved along the length dimensionof the mounting device 74′ (within the nut receptacle 260′) so as to bealigned with the attachment fastener 280. This repositioning of the nut270 may be undertaken in any appropriate manner and at any appropriatetime. For instance, the desired location of the attachment fastener 280along the length of the mounting slot 98′ could be determined prior topositioning the attachment on the mounting device 74′, and an installercould then direct the attachment fastener 280 into/through the mountingslot 98′ to engage and then move the nut 270 along the nut receptacle260 (in the length dimension of the mounting device 74′) into thedesired position. In any case and once the attachment fastener 280 andthe nut 270 are properly aligned, and with the attachment beingpositioned on the upper surface 78′ of the mounting device 74′, theshaft 284 of the attachment fastener 280 may be threaded into/throughthe nut 270 (after having first passed through a portion of theattachment and then through the mounting slot 98′), preferably until ahead 282 of the attachment fastener 280 compresses the correspondingportion of the attachment against the upper surface 78′ of the mountingdevice 74′. The nut flange 274 should engage the underside of the upperwall 76′ at this time as well, which provides an increased area ofcontact with the upper wall 76′ compared to if the nut flange 274 werenot used (e.g., if instead an end of the nut body 272 engaged theunderside of the upper wall 76′).

A variation of the mounting device 74′ from the embodiment of FIGS.24A-C is presented in FIGS. 25A-C and is identified by reference numeral74″. Corresponding components between these two embodiments areidentified by the same reference numerals. Those correspondingcomponents that differ in at least some respect may be furtheridentified by a double prime designation in the embodiment of FIGS.25A-C. The primary difference between these two embodiments is that themounting device 74″ of FIGS. 25A-C does not utilize the elongatedmounting slot 98′ that is used by the embodiment of FIGS. 24A-C. Themounting device 74″ could instead use the threaded hole 98 shown in FIG.5 (not shown). Alternatively, a self-drilling or self-tapping attachmentfastener 280″ could be used (having a slotted head 282″, a flange 283″,and a self-drilling or self-tapping shaft 284″). The base surface 263 cin the case of the mounting device 74″ (and also in the case of themounting device 74′ of FIGS. 24A-C), limits the amount that theattachment fastener (whether in the form of a bolt, a self-drilling orself-tapping fastener, or any other threaded fastener) can be directedinto the corresponding mounting device, and keeps the end of theattachment fastener from contacting the standing seam 42. This isillustrated in FIG. 25C, and which also shows an attachment 250′installed on the mounting device 74″.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, thedescription is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosedherein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with theabove teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are withinthe scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known ofpracticing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with variousmodifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of thepresent invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construedto include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting device to engage a rib of a metalpanel, comprising: an upper wall with: a first end; a second endseparated from the first end in a longitudinal dimension by a firstlength; and a mounting aperture extending through the upper wall; afirst sidewall extending from the upper wall to a first sidewall end andhaving: a first interior surface; a first exterior surface; a firstfastener hole extending through the first sidewall; a first gasketselectively engaged with the first interior surface; and a firstsidewall length extending in the longitudinal dimension and measuredproximate to the first sidewall end; a second sidewall spaced from thefirst sidewall in a lateral dimension, the second sidewall extendingfrom the upper wall to a second sidewall end and having: a secondinterior surface; a second exterior surface; a second fastener holeextending through the second sidewall; a second gasket selectivelyengaged with the second interior surface; and a second sidewall lengthextending in the longitudinal dimension and measured proximate to thesecond sidewall end, the second sidewall length being approximatelyequal to the first sidewall length; a first width between the firstsidewall and the second sidewall measured in the lateral dimensionproximate to the upper wall; and a second width measured in the lateraldimension between the first and second sidewall ends, the second widthbeing greater than the first width.
 2. The mounting device of claim 1,wherein the first sidewall further comprises a third fastener hole andthe second sidewall further comprises a fourth fastener hole.
 3. Themounting device of claim 2, wherein: the first fastener hole ispositioned approximately opposite to the second fastener hole; and thethird fastener hole is positioned approximately opposite to the fourthfastener hole.
 4. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the firstgasket covers the first fastener hole when the first gasket is engagedwith the first interior surface, and wherein the first gasket ispositionable between the first interior surface and a first side of therib when the mounting device is engaged to the rib.
 5. The mountingdevice of claim 1, wherein the first fastener hole is unthreaded.
 6. Themounting device of claim 1, further comprising: a first angle between alower surface of the upper wall and the first interior surface that isgreater than ninety degrees; and a second angle between the lowersurface and the second interior surface that is greater than ninetydegrees.
 7. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least a portionof each of the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface isplanar.
 8. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein the mounting apertureis unthreaded.
 9. The mounting device of claim 8, wherein the mountingaperture is elongated in the longitudinal dimension to define a slot.10. A mounting system to secure a structure to a rib of a metal panel,comprising: a mounting bracket including: an upper wall with a first endspaced from a second end in a longitudinal dimension, a mountingaperture that extends through the upper wall, and a lower surface thatfaces an endwall of the rib when the mounting bracket is secured to therib; a first sidewall extending from the upper wall to a first sidewallend and which has a first interior surface that faces a first side ofthe rib when the mounting bracket is secured to the rib, a firstexterior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a firstfastener hole extending through the first sidewall; a second sidewallextending from the upper wall to a second sidewall end and which has asecond interior surface that faces a second side of the rib when themounting bracket is secured to the rib, a second exterior surfaceopposite the second interior surface, and a second fastener holeextending through the second sidewall; a first gasket positionablebetween the first interior surface and the first side of the rib whenthe mounting bracket is secured to the rib; a first fastener extendablethrough the first fastener hole, the first gasket, and the first side ofthe rib to secure the first sidewall to the rib; a second gasketpositionable between the second interior surface and the second side ofthe rib when the mounting bracket is secured to the rib; a secondfastener extendable through the second fastener hole, the second gasket,and the second side of the rib to secure the second sidewall to the rib;a clamp securable to the upper wall of the mounting bracket andincluding a base positioned proximate to the upper wall of the mountingbracket, an extension, and an engagement portion extending outwardlyfrom the extension to secure the structure to the rib when the clamp issecured to the mounting bracket; and a clamp fastener to selectivelysecure the clamp to the mounting bracket, the clamp fastener extendablethrough the mounting aperture.
 11. The mounting system of claim 10,wherein the clamp fastener is threaded.
 12. The mounting system of claim11, wherein the mounting aperture is unthreaded.
 13. The mounting systemof claim 10, wherein the mounting aperture is elongated in thelongitudinal dimension to define a slot.
 14. The mounting system ofclaim 10, wherein the first fastener hole is unthreaded.
 15. Themounting system of claim 14, wherein the first fastener is threaded. 16.The mounting system of claim 15, wherein the second fastener hole ispositioned approximately opposite to the first fastener hole.
 17. Themounting system of claim 10, wherein the first interior surface of thefirst sidewall is oriented at a first oblique angle to the lower surfaceof the upper wall, and wherein the first interior surface of the firstsidewall is oriented at a second oblique angle to the second interiorsurface of the second sidewall.
 18. The mounting system of claim 10,wherein the mounting bracket is configured such that the lower surfaceof the upper wall is spaced from the endwall of the rib when themounting bracket is secured to the rib.
 19. A mounting device to engagea rib of a metal panel, comprising: an upper wall with: a first end; asecond end separated from the first end in a longitudinal dimension by afirst length; and a mounting aperture extending through the upper wall,wherein the mounting aperture is unthreaded; a first sidewall extendingfrom the upper wall to a first sidewall end and having: a first interiorsurface; a first exterior surface; a first fastener hole extendingthrough the first sidewall; and a first sidewall length extending in thelongitudinal dimension and measured proximate to the first sidewall end;a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall in a lateral dimension,the second sidewall extending from the upper wall to a second sidewallend and having: a second interior surface; a second exterior surface; asecond fastener hole extending through the second sidewall; and a secondsidewall length extending in the longitudinal dimension and measuredproximate to the second sidewall end, the second sidewall length beingapproximately equal to the first sidewall length; a first width betweenthe first sidewall and the second sidewall measured in the lateraldimension proximate to the upper wall; and a second width measured inthe lateral dimension between the first and second sidewall ends, thesecond width being greater than the first width.
 20. The mounting deviceof claim 19, wherein the first fastener hole is unthreaded.